Back to school took on a whole new meaning as I experienced my first in-person graduate school class. Many know I'm pursuing my Master's of Philanthropic Studies, online, one class at a time, from IUPUI's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. This week I had my first in person class! It has and is a/an unique, special, rare, interesting...I'm not sure of the right word to describe... journey. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn in this way at this time about these subjects and pursue a degree. I'm proud of myself for the work, results, learning, and commitment. And to celebrate the completion of the class and keep some vacation fun in the vacation time, we stayed in Indy for the weekend. I'll take the opportunity to share some takeaways and happenings on the blog for prosperity and I like to share.
Ten points of reflection:
1. Generations continue to make me smile. Online and in-person younger students say the darndest things. I think this is my way of acknowledging I'm getting old.
2. Air BnB is a great way to go for this kind of travel- I had a garage, two rooms and I saved some money. Being in a "home" just felt right for this class.
3. Preparation pays off....the 13 cases our professor assigned were interesting, the call to be prepared for oral engagement scared me, but thanks to office hours, conversation with classmates, time at my desk and talking the cases through with Joe on an earlier road trip- I was ready. It feels good to be ready. And it prepared me to be in a place to absorb the knowledge and learning. Our professor is quite good and I'm again grateful for the experience. How many times will I express appreciation in this post!
4. Indy is amazing. I've always felt that way about the city and have enjoyed the few visits for pleasure and work. I took the kids there years ago and it was one of my favorite get-aways. This trip had me exploring more neighborhoods connected to downtown and I was impressed. Shapiro's Deli was a repeat - lunch with classmates and our professor and breakfast on Sunday. If you have not been you should go!
5. It is a cliche but it is true- make new friends and keep the old, one is silver the other gold. I met new friends by walking this walk, compairing notes, sharing stories and asking and answering questions...and then I spent an evening catching up with a dear Denison classmate!! A remarkable run-into a Granvillian was also a highlight of the trip.
It is important to get out of our circles and comfort zones. This is what I did on my summer vacation and I'm so glad I did. I need to spend some serious time on LinkedIn connecting with these folks and truly want to stay in touch. I've met some of them in the online class, but nothing like in person to elevate the experience and relationship. Thank you LFSOP for bringing us together. I also met the faculty and staff of LFSOP- bonus!! I'm feeling much more connected to the program and school. IUPUI is a campus that intimated me, after a week there it is now "my school".
6. Back to those young students...I have been and can be one that reacts to different behaviors, but I admire and respect so much of what was shared in our classroom and am grateful. This is what we all need to be doing, understanding and listening to one another. Asking questions, clarifying, and having the ah-ha moments about diversity and what diversity truly means, and how good it is for our world and communities..and classrooms!
7. I have a whole new appreciation for the law, for lawyers- counselors- and we really do need their counsel. I hope I can think a bit more like an attorney as I approach situations and look at the guideposts, the various sides/perspectives, and history. A big takeaway is the understanding of our common law approach and how it evolves and morphs. The nonprofit sector has been and will continue to be shaped in regard to trusts, intentions, the definition of the laws, and how they are interpreted and presented. My work will be different and influenced by this class and my time in Indy.
8. Billy Strings continues to impress and delight. Date night with Joe at these concerts is really magical. This trip included friends from Chicago who drove down to join us making it a treat. We hatched a plan when we connected on a work trip and what fun to reconnect! Good people to share the good life provides!
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| Can you see us- we were in the pit, again, love these shows! |
9.Time on the golf course continues to be a good place. https://www.thefortgolfcourse.com/ What a beautiful part of Indiana and what a great golf course! This gift and recommendation from Ann Leithauser did not disappoint. Exploring new places is always a good idea, taking the back roads and doing so with Joe and our golf bags is another treat and favorite thing. This is the former Ft. Benjamin Harris location repurposed in impressive ways.
10. Family Time matters- it was so good to see Joe's parents- Jim and Nadine in their new home in Bryan, OH. It wasn't "on the way" but it worked to go and I'm so glad we did!
