Welcome to Summer Institute Year 3

Year 3 of the 3 year program. The last summer I will have to dedicate 16 continuous days to doctoral studies. While 16 days may not seem like much, summer goes by so quickly anyway. It is interesting coming into year 3...being those students that are in their last year. I remember when we were greeted by year 3 students as we entered our first year. We didn't really know what we were getting ourselves in to. We could only anticipate the rigor and intensity of what we were going to experience. Those year 3 students had a sense of accomplishment about them, a sense of peace. 

Then when we came back for year two...the painful year for me. It seemed summer institute would never end. We knew the rigor and intensity we had to look forward to coupled with the realization that we had more years to endure. 

But year 3. Ahhhhhhh...... here we are! We made it thus far. This is the last summer we will have to be away from our families. Our adventures in leadership, learning, and service will be self directed rather than having to be here during this time. Yet there will be something missed.

I am very excited about our adventures for the next year. I also anticipate the conclusion of the formal part of the program. It will be and is a huge sense of relief and accomplishment!