All of us want to have something to be proud of; it is what keeps us going when times are tough. In fact, pride and tough times go together, since it is hard to take pride in something that was handed to you or that took no effort, like beating a field of runners by minutes instead of seconds. This is why athletes seek out higher and higher levels of competition.
There is pride in ourselves, based on a difficulty overcome or an accomplishment achieved. There is also pride in our “team,” our “group,” or our alma mater. In this case we take pride in the accomplishments of those we feel a kinship for, or those we feel represent us, like the people of Cleveland walking taller in the wake of the Cavaliers’ remarkable win, the pride all the greater because the road to victory was so difficult.
All of us in the College can take pride from the accomplishments of our students (see Student Spotlight), who have an incredible knack for being awarded best poster or best presentation when they go out into the world and present their own research projects. That recognition is a testament to their talent, original thinking, and dedication, as well as to their mentors, whose input and support make these efforts possible.
The College of Science and Mathematics is a unique place where students from all backgrounds, some of whom come here having no idea what research is about, are able to succeed at the highest levels in their discipline. It is not easy to do research. There are roadblocks—ideas that take a wrong turn, experiments that either fail or do not support your hypothesis. Only by sticking with it, trying again, coming at it from a different direction, can you succeed. So the students in this issue can rightfully have immense pride in their achievements, and we can all walk a little taller because they are from the College of Science and Mathematics at Wright State.
Best Regards,
Kathrin Engisch, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Science and Mathematics
