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Show 4 CAMPUS FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM after a on ovMig atW Briana Buendia Staff Reporter As most students know, President Michael Bassis and his wife, Mary, are leaving Westminster. What some may not know, however, is how they would describe their journey. The Bassis have been at seven institutions, and Westminster has proven to be their favorite. Michael Bassis says, This is the best of those institutions and its been my most rewarding job in my career. Weve made enormous progress as an institution and thats because lots of people decided that they wanted to work with one another to do something special. He added, I think that collective effort is what has helped Westminster grow in its size, reputation and quality. Mary Bassis talked about how she has created long-ter- m friendships with people on campus. She says, And they continue to be friends. It seems like that would be obvious, but its not obvious. She formed relationships through her role of hosting events on campus. Some of these events are for the Board of Trustees, development awards, fundraising, student groups and ambassadors. Michael Bassis said, Some- times people hold the president and his or her spouse at a distance. At Westminster, this has not been the case. There arent very many schools where people are as attached to the college as they are says Michael Bassis. He believes that this is because of the relationships to Westminster, people create. He says, What s really valuable for our students is that they are both challenged and supported by faculty, which is quite rare. Here at Westminster, both of those are in play and thats a powerful combination. He said, I think its fair to say that weve, discovered that Westminsters a special place and its been great to be a part of it. Their Favorite Memories Michael Bassis immediately said one of his favorite memories was seeing the lacrosse team win a national championship in their second year. proud of the moments when the faculty and the Board of Trustees approved the strategic plan, along with the He is also faculty approving the require- ment of the Mary Bassis adds to the list by saying, Or when the science building Meldrum opened. Michael Bassis explains that these are his favorite memories because they represent a level of excellence that is important to the college. He believes that they represent a culture of innovation that has taken hold at Westminster. And I think they also demonstrate that when people come together to do something, it really can create things. He says, Much greater than what any one, individual, can create. Hopes for the Future Michael Bassis says, Im hoping that the traditions that have been in place at Westminster for decades and long-standi- ng decades will be preserved. And that this culture of innovation will continue to thrive in the college and its students and its faculty. He jokes and that his advice to future President Brian is, Do everysays Levin-Stankevi- ch thing just the way I did. On a serious note, his advice is that every institution is different. In order to be able to be successful, the future President will have to come to know Westminster and its strengths and peculiarities. Michael Bassis paused and said, It does have peculiarities, you know. It takes a lot to really understand and it s important to understand it. As for the future of the president and his wife, they joke by saying, Were planning on having control over our schedules. They have built a getaway house in St. George and are planning to use it as a home base for plotting out the next moves in their lives. So we might stay there 'for awhile, we might come back to Salt Lake or end up in some other part of the country, says Michael Bassis. They might even live out their dream to live and work abroad. They tossed around names of some countries they considered visiting like Italy and South Africa. Michael Bassis says, But I think its probably more likely that well be some place in Europe. Michael Bassis will continue to be involved with the campus with the honor of President Emeritus. This an honorific title that will keep him attached to the college, but without any real responsibilities. He Its a nice gesture. So then I suspect that every now and then well come back to visit friends or the college will invite us back for some occasion. If were not in South Africa well says, ter probably be able to get here. Mary Bassis nodded and said, Its been a great ride. Michael Bassis ended by saying, Its time for a fresh set of eyes on Westminster and were kind of excited about figuring out what the next phase in our life will be. Seniors look back, and look forward Alecia Cenaruzabeitia Staff Reporter Students are looking forward to another semester coming to a close. But for the seniors, this is their last chance to look back at their time spent at Westminster. Favorite Memory When asked about favorite memories of Westminster, graduating seniors Sarah Matheson and Nicole Fisher warmly look back on coundess memories. Nicole Fisher, psychology major, says her favorite memory was from her freshman year. She said her learning community was a major influence on her college career. The learning community introduced her to friends and mentors she has kept through college. It the learning community was a good introduction to college because the professors were so in tune with the students, which made us feel comfortable, Fisher said. She said a class like her LE was a great way to start college academically and socially. Sarah Matheson, English major, had a similar experience. One of her favorite memories of Westminster was because of a certain class and professor. Matheson took a Victorian Literature class by Professor Elree Harris where they discussed Lewis Carroll. For the final class they had a tea party hosted by the professor. It was such a fun way to celebrate the mastery of Lewis Carroll, Matheson said Michael and Mary Bassis enjoyed the jhendships they have made on campus. President Bassis says his job at Westminster has been the most rewarding in his career. What has Changed Both Matheson and Fisher agree that Westminster has done more than just give them an education. They said Westminster has opened their minds to new things. I think of things a lot differently due to the mentors and the community at Westminster, Fisher said. Matheson agreed and said Westminster has helped her discover more about herself. Ive also found myself so much more relaxed about meeting people and accepting them for who they are, no matter how different we may be, Matheson said. What they will Miss Most Matheson will be returning to campus this summer to begin the MAT (Masters of Arts and Teaching), so she wont miss much. However, she will miss parts of the undergraduate experience. She will miss things like the professors that have become mentors. Im also going to miss all of the people Ive gotten to know and love at the Writing Center over the last year. Its been really fun working there and Ive learned so much, Matheson said. Fisher wouldnt change about her anything experience at Westminster. She said, The course I have taken happened the way it should have. . |