Davion Washington Jr. ~Student Body President
On behalf of the Student Government Association at the University of Lynchburg, I would like to extend my most humble greetings to all Hornets, Hornet families, and guests. My name is Davion Washington Jr. and it is my profound pleasure and honor to serve as the Student Body President here at the University of Lynchburg for the 2019-2020 Academic Year. I am ecstatic that you have made yourself at home here at the University, and it will always be my goal to promote and ensure the highest quality of life for students.
The University of Lynchburg has not only provided me a place that I often consider to be my home, but it has extended a family to me. From my friends, professors, and all the way up to campus administrators, I can confidently say that I have gained a Hornet family and have cemented myself within the campus community, and it is our hope that you will do the same.
As the Student Body President, I am and always will be readily available to you as a resource, advocate, and even as a friend. Always feel free to say hello whenever we may cross paths! If you ever wish to chat, I respond to emails and messages around the clock! My role is to serve you as you continue to thrive in this Hornet community. You can also find great information about SGA on our website Lynchburg.edu/sga, and keep up with us on social media @lynchburgsga.
To the class of 2023 (WOOHOO!!!), transfer students, and adult learners, I will offer you three pieces of advice as you begin to navigate the confines of the Dell and beyond:
Eliminate the Box
At one point or another, we have all been told to think outside of the box, but what if I told you that we could ditch the box completely? Here at the University, you set the norms and you set the standard of what it means to be a Hornet. One of my favorite things about the University is that the close knit community allows you to make it whatever you want it to be. If you wish to see something change, you have to ability to take the lead and be the change that you want to see. If you want to see a new club on campus, you can start it with the help of some like minded individuals! As Hornets, we also set the standard of respect and campus culture. We eliminate the box that once allowed ignorance and intolerance to be a norm, and we always strive to set norms of open mindedness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit #2 of Stephen R. Covey’s famous Seven Habits of Highly Effective People states, “Begin with the End in Mind,” encouraging people to develop a vision for the future. Being a small liberal arts University with approximately 2,800 students, all eyes are on you from the time you step foot on campus until the time you cross the commencement stage, and within this time, you are bound to make a name for yourself, whether it be a positive or negative one. Covey questions, “On a personal basis, what do you want people to say about you at key points in your life?” so I encourage everyone to consider this question along with future recommendations, career opportunities, networking, and more. I personally think of college as the beginning of forever. The name you make for yourself here will travel with you wherever you may go. Remember to begin with the end in mind and allow your intelligence, work ethic, spirit, and respect for others speak volumes about you before you even have to say a word.
Bloom and Become
One of my favorite quotes, by Christine Caine, reads “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried, but actually you’ve been planted. Bloom.” As a new college student, sometimes it may feel as if you are going into a dark tunnel with no visible end. Here at the University of Lynchburg, you are never alone, as each individual and the University itself are “always becoming.” In your years here, you will grow and bloom into not only the individual that you want to be, but also the individual that you are meant to be. Here at the University, there will be times when you face challenges, but in the end we all push through those challenges together and grow as global citizens and academics. If we never tore fibers in our bodies, we would never grow muscles. Dean of Students, Dr. Aaron Smith, continuously emphasizes this notion in saying: “We have a saying here that it is always a great day to be a Hornet, but here in this very moment, it is also a great day to become a Hornet,” and we do this together as a hive through collaboration and also alone through reflection. Here at the University you will continue to bloom and you will definitely become what you are meant to be along with the help and love of your Hornet family.
Thank you and always remember that it is a great day to be and become a Hornet.