Bill Padilla
Social Science
The following is taken from a letter from Bill Padilla, a recent graduate, to Cyndy Trent, Coordinator of the Bachelor's Degree Completion program.
Kansas was just generally WONDERFUL. From the moment we left the airport and began driving down I-435 and I-70, taking in the GORGEOUS scenery, I was in heaven. We stopped in Topeka for a scrumptious dinner at Outback Steakhouse, and proceeded to Junction City, where we spent the night. The next morning, we drove to Manhattan, and partook of the commencement activities (one of the best moments of my life was when they read my name and I walked up the ramp to shake hands with Dean White and accept my degree cover).
After the ceremony, we went to brunch at the K-State Student Union with Tibisay Marin. It was great. The rest of the afternoon was spent touring the campus, the shopping mall, and Aggieville (with Lou Williams joining us for coffee during this last leg). We took plenty of pictures and video (camcorder) throughout the afternoon. All too soon, however, it was time to head back to Kansas City to catch our flight to Los Angeles. As the plane took off, I mumbled “Goodbye, Kansas – and Thank You
” out the window as the serenely rural landscape fell away below.
I will remember this trip for the rest of my life, and so will my mom and Michelle (my sister).
As you saw, Fred Phelps and his gang were out in front of Bramlage Coliseum, holding their awful signs. Fortunately, the anti-hate demonstration was even bigger, and I briefly merged into that crowd to show my support as the cameras rolled. During the commencement ceremony, the “inspirational message to graduates
” speaker (Pat Bosco, I believe it was) referred to those fermenting hate outside Bramlage Coliseum as “despicable people
” – but he also mentioned the reality of a free society, that being that free speech must exist for everyone, even those with such hurtful messages. His comments were right on the mark, and drew strong applause from the audience.
My mom couldn't seem to stop crying, on and off, all weekend long, I guess out of pride at witnessing the first college graduation in known Padilla family history. I can now say that I have set foot on my alma mater at least once (an important act, in my book [albeit purely ceremonial]), and what I have seen during my brief stay has served to boost my pride in graduating from what is clearly a large, beautiful university with a long and rich history of academic excellence.
Take care of yourself, Cyndy. I will never forget what you and K-State have done for me in the fulfillment of this momentous milestone. In fact, I intend to write to the Kansas Board of Regents and, if time permits, perhaps even the Kansas legislature itself, in order to express my gratitude for your fine state's seemingly altruistic and education-minded willingness to host such a rich and rewarding outreach program, especially when no prohibitive out-of-state tuition premium is charged.
I hope all of the distance education programs continue to be well-funded, and enjoy success and even expansion into the future. The way I see it, distance education truly is the wave of the future, making college dreams more realizable than ever before, especially for those with crazy schedules, heavy at-home responsibilities, a tight budget, and/or limited mobility. K-State broke ground early in this regard when it started its NTS program in the mid-70's. I'm proud of my affiliation with that special group of graduates who serve as living proof that the program truly and uniquely changes lives. As an ethnic minority, my pride is further heightened by K-State's clear commitment to diversity (“Multi cultural Enrollment at Record High
”, InView Newsletter, 11/08/01).
Thanks again for everything, Cyndy (and everyone else). And GO WILDCATS!
William A. Padilla, B.S.
Kansas State University, Class of 2002
