Fueling Interest in America’s Best Colleges
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- HCC Grad Headed to West Point
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- Cafe Kili Academic Excellence Fellowship with Matthew
Raphael, a recent Hillsborough County College graduate with an appointment to the US Military Academy Class of 2015, introduced his friend Matthew to me. Raphael knows about my passion for fueling young people’s interest in America’s Best Colleges. I was excited when Raphael mentioned that Matthew wants to consider applying to the University of Notre Dame.
On Friday, June 17, Matthew and I met at Café Kili for an Academic Excellence Fellowship. Matthew is an Hillsborough County College student. His dream is to study national and international economics and financial systems at the best undergraduate business program in America.
I thanked Matthew for spending his time with me. You see, the success of my mission of “fostering Academic Excellence among youth in [my] community” depends on a few young people willing to embrace what I have to offer. Matthew was a willing—and appreciative—participant in this Academic Excellence Fellowship.
In the course of our fellowship, I learned about some of Matthew’s unique strengths. He gains encouragement to “dream BIG” as he watches his buddy, Raphael, pursue his dream of becoming an Army officer. Matthew learned from him that it is okay to dare ask the question: “Will America help me further develop my strengths at exceptional postsecondary academic institutions?”
I shared some words from the “Meet the Class of 2015” article in the current Notre Dame Today online newsletter. Donald Bishop, associate vice president for the Office of Undergraduate Enrollment, made two observations that I printed and gave to Matthew:
“In our selection process, more than ever before, we were careful to select students who have the ambition to become top experts in their chosen fields of study and professional endeavors.”
“In our society today, we have seen many adults that seek top positions of influence so others can serve them. The prototype Notre Dame student seeks to reach the very top of their fields in their career so that they can serve others.”
Matthew’s application to Notre Dame late this year might reflect his “ambition to become a top expert” in his field “so that he can serve others.” We agreed that neither of us knows what the Admissions Office Class of 2016 picture looks like. We also agreed that Matthew knows what he wants and is willing to ask if what he has to offer and contribute to Our Lady’s University fits in that picture.
The fellowship with Matthew was yet another reminder of the “Immigrant Granddad’s Memo to His Grandson” that Raphael’s mom shared with me.
“I soon learned that’s how everything works in America,” the grandfather told his grandson. “Life is a cafeteria here. You can get anything you want, even success. But you’ll never get it if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it yourself.”
Tags: academic excellence, America's Best Colleges, Cafe Kili Fellowship, Notre Dame Alumni
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