DO THINGS

I share this here to document I did it, and to share advice for myself and others...do things.  Here is something I always wanted to do- play golf on the Wooster Campus Golf Course.  Here is the picture I snapped after finishing the 1st hole. Papp Stadium (under renovation for new turf) is in the background and bagpipes playing  (practice) in the air! Temp was probably 68- sunny, light wind!

Joe and I went up early and met Steve Shaw (Clare's dear pal Hannah's Dad). The Denison- Wooster Women's lax game was at 8 so we made it work!  It wasn't my best round, I'm still sore from skiing, forgot my shoes, but we did it and I loved every step, push of the cart, swing and put.  Not my best round but I did it.  The bonus was a tailgate pizza party with Carolyn and Steve before the game.

The game was a good fight-both teams looked good and I loved being in the stand supporting Clare.  Meanwhile, in Granville- Sally's team won!

It has been a special week, again for the record book: I received an award at Denison-, here is the email I sent to say thank you and I post as people are asking and this blog showcases a variety of things that happen in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  The lovely plaque is at home next to Joe's Fantasy Baseball Trophy!

Email sent to IA and a few others:

Thank you for all the emails and well wishes on this award!! Thank you, Greg, thank you, Nan, thank you Dana (how wonderful to receive this award from the alumna that walks her kids to school by my office daily).  

Those that know me know me, know I have to recognize the folks that allow the actions that led to this award to happen- my family.  They go with me or 

do something at home so I can attend. We've been going to Big Red Denison sporting events since I took my first official role in 1999 in the alumni office. 

I remember the day Peter (now 21) knew I could not attend a basketball game and said- I'll ride my bike, say hi to the parents and give you updates!

 

It is the friendships, conversations, and shared experiences with fellow fans- staff, faculty, families, and community members that incentive me to return. 

Okay, the athletic competition is great as well.

 

James Clear '08  (keynote for the event Monday) has a wonderful quote" "successful outcomes are the result of good choices over time". I appreciate this award that recognizes the good choices I've made!  Time with Denisonians is valuable time, in such beautiful surroundings.  And guess what...the philanthropic work we all do makes it happen!  Thank you for sharing this award with me.

 

Warmly- Susan

 

On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 11:31 AM Gregory Bader <baderg@denison.edu> wrote:

Good morning,Last night I had the opportunity to attend the James T. Glerum, Jr. Top 50 Scholar-AthleteHonors Celebration.This event is named after Denison Trustee Jim Glerum '82 who made a generous gift to endow the program. 

The program itself honors our 50 top athletes according to academic performance and they are invited to bring a faculty member to the program to share about their faculty/student work together. Really an incredible program.I am most pleased to share that IA's very own Susan Leithauser '90 was the recipient of the 

2023 Alumni Recognition Award for her significant accomplishments in building and supporting alumni & family relationships with our Athletic Programs at Denison. As you know, Susan is a a steadfast supporter of all things Denison, but is a regular attendee, advocate and Denison representative at so many athletic competitions.  

Susan, you are most deserving of this recognition - congratulations! 

Please join me in celebrating Susan! Greg

Figure Eighting over Spring Break 2023

We had physical figure eights over this Spring Break.  It started with Joe and Sally going to Michigan, following the path Clare, Peter, and I took years ago on a college visit trip.  This year they went to see Clare play college at Hope and Kalamazoo.  I went to Florida, meeting up with my sister Sarah and mother Jeanne to visit my brother and family.  Both trips were very special thanks to the great company, the Ws for Wooster were nice too!

I believe life isn't just circles, it is figure eights- we come and go and return to people, places, and concepts that are important to us, provide lessons, and fulfill us.  Being together with Matthew as he navigates this next stage of life, celebrating Emma as she prepares to graduate from High school, and just finding holiday time (Palm Sunday) to unite is a beautiful pattern that energizes, heals, comforts, and energizes.

Then we reunited and the three living together on Newark-Granville Road took off for Colorado.  Sally's first trip to the Rocky Mountain state. She learned to ski last year and it felt right to carve out time for this trip. It would not have happened without Joe's brother.  He and Scott use to take these trips over Denison's spring breaks.  They'd stay at Uncle LeMar's place and then go ski different mountains in Summit County.  Guess what we did? We rented a condo that was cozy and a great home base in Dillon, on the bay/lake- the big body of water.  We skied Breckenridge, Keystone, and Beaver Creek. Okay, I didn't ski Beaver Creek, I needed a day off to read, catch up, and connect in a figure-eight way, and rest.

I'd been to Beaver Creek one other time, over thirty years ago, with the Herrons.  It was my first trip to see the Rockies and I was impressed and delighted.  While sitting comfortably in the Park Hyatt lobby Jill and I caught up and I heard the beautiful figure eight story of her daughter's upcoming marriage.  Figure eights within figure eights- can you visualize the ice skater making the loops?

What a beautiful life it is to have this energy, Spirit, and care that allows all of these connections.  

Shout-out to Sally and her great skiing- so brave and strong, such growth in this new sport!  Gratitude to Uncle Scott, Caroline, and Ann for the encouragement and time together. Joe gets kudos for being the trip planner and sharing the slopes on skiis!

Vacations are important and I highly recommend returning to some beloved spots and sharing it with new and old friends and family!

A Spring Break that is "late" the first week of April instead of the last week of March.  A Spring Break ending with Easter. We made it home to enjoy the FPC message, reflect on the beautiful Easter's past and include a few traditions to celebrate the holiday. We are also working and doing what we need in this busy month of April that feels like whirling energy of figure eights!! We look forward to our paths crossing in person or in virtual ways and making figure eights happen on Newark-Granville Road!