I feel confident asserting the following: The Class of 2006 will be a model to which future classes aspire.
This year I had the privilege of serving as senior class president, and, as such, watched the Class of 2006 craft our legacy at Tufts. Suffice it to say, with Commencement upon us, it is surreal to think that we will be leaving the people with whom we have lived and grown over the past four years. As we look back on the 2005-2006 year, however, it becomes increasingly apparent that the Class of 2006 did more than achieve - we truly celebrated our final year at Tufts.
As the year began, it was clear that everyone was both anxious and excited for senior year. As such, the Senior Class Council hoped to harness this energy. At the President's Welcome Back Reception in September, many of us looked around and realized just how many '06-ers had been off seeing the world the previous year.
At times, there were moments of awkwardness as people were unsure about whether or not to attempt conversations that began with a desperate search for someone's name, followed by a general question like, "So, how was...where were you, again?"
Despite this mild discomfort, which was increasingly lessened by the glasses of wine provided by University President Lawrence Bacow, it became clear that we had the opportunity to squeeze this year for everything it was worth. However, in order to do so, the Senior Class Council needed to set the bar higher.
First, we wanted more seniors involved in the process of planning the year. In order to do so, we created the Senior Leadership Council so as to garner input at our weekly meetings. The contributions of the 35 members of the Senior Leadership Council were tremendous. Week after week, they provided ideas and enthusiasm that propelled us. The success of this year would not have been possible without them.
Next, we wanted to get all seniors excited about our final year at Tufts. So, breaking with tradition, we decided to plan more senior events throughout the year. Right off the bat, we held our first pub night at the Hong Kong after only two weeks back on campus. The tickets sold out in a day.
We then went to the Big Easy for our Halloween Pub Night, where more than half of the class (650+) dressed up to make this one of the most memorable nights of the year. Next was the Liquor Store, where seniors were challenged to hang on to a mechanical bull for dear life. Some fared better than others.
In January, Winter Bash in the Gantcher Center provided seniors with the first on-campus Pub event of the year, as everyone came decked-out in their semi-formal attire. Sometime between Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras, the Senior Class rented out Tequila Rain in what was our largest pub night of the year (750 seniors).
For a change of pace, the Class of 2006 stormed the atomic bowling alley where the blacklights enabled the emergence of highlighters as a means of sporting '06 pride. For those of you I drew on, please accept my sincerest apologies.
Last, The Rack capped off our year of senior events, where our traditional "OHH SIXX!" chant let all of downtown Boston know who we were.
Senior Class Council also sought to provide the class with other, more meaningful endeavors. As we prepared for our post-graduation lives with trepidation, Becky Holden and Cara Vik worked with career services and the Alumni Association to ease the transition by starting Senior Career Day. During this day, we learned about such things as proper business etiquette, networking skills and benefits. It was apparent that many seniors had no idea how much they did not know.
Also, for the first time in Tufts history, the Senior Class Council spearheaded the dedication of a Senior Class Gift to be presented before graduation. Dedicated in honor of Alex Mendell and Boryana Damyanova, two of our classmates who passed away prior to Commencement, this gift will enable our class to give back to Tufts while also preserving the memories of two beloved classmates.
The Senior Shade, consisting of a stone bench under an apple tree, will stand as a symbol of our class for years to come.
Whether wearing senior cowboy hats or senior shirts, attending pub nights or networking sessions, or simply chanting our class year, the Class of 2006 will long be remembered for our spirit, pride and thorough enjoyment of our final year at
Tufts.
In addition, the Class of 2006 is easily one of the most accomplished, civic-minded and ambitious classes ever to walk the Hill. We have Fulbright Scholars, USA Today Academic All-Americans, Truman Scholars and Coro Fellows.
We've studied AIDS in Africa, rebuilt houses on the Gulf Coast and planned international policy conferences.
Next year, we will be going to law and medical school, joining the Peace Corps, banking, Teaching for America and engaging in cutting-edge research. Regardless of our individual chosen fields, the Class of 2006 has demonstrated the dedication, motivation and leadership skills necessary to leave our mark. I look forward to hearing about the repeated, breathtaking accomplishments that the future holds.
To the members of the Senior Class Council - Becky, Cara, Steph Anastopoulos and Jose Vazquez - thank you for your organization, friendship and patience. Your hard work was the core of this year.
To the Class of 2006: I look forward to being your fellow alumnus and hope we can continue enjoying our Tufts experience as we venture out into the world.
More importantly, it has been an honor and a pleasure serving as your class president. Good luck.
Dave Baumwoll is a senior majoring in majoring in political science. He is currently the president of the Class of 2006.
