I graduated some years ago, completed a master’s and returned shortly thereafter to my alma mater, Pepperdine University, to assume the role of Coordinator of National Scholarships & Awards. So I am young. Consequently, after one year in the realm of fellowship advising, I liken the experience to learning what to do with oneself at a party—scanning the scene, learning the culture, discovering kindred souls.

Upon arrival, the party begins with the ascension to the balcony to have a look around. For ten or so years, the faculty director of fellowships had recruited a network of faculty liaisons along with a stream of candidates. There is no existing office, website, or centralized fellowship structure. I will reside in a cubicle with a scanner and an occasional student. Still waiting for my laptop to arrive.

September 6
Fall is marked by a sense of bewilderment—learning the language of receipt and postmark deadlines, personal statements and CVs, letters of endorsement and letters of affiliation. I flipped through the Louisville binder I inherited from a faculty member who attended the conference and found a listing of willing NAFA mentors. I called Paula Goldsmid, who graciously fielded my questions. I also decided my personal study of awards would be best facilitated if I created website content.

September 13
Once I identify those with whom a further conversation might be in order, then, it’s slinking through the clusters of conversations and joining them, engaging with the masses of partygoers by speaking their language. It will probably be a year until I make the pilgrimage to a NAFA conference.

September 28
I am assisting the year’s hopefuls, all the while sizing up the usual suspects, discerning trends and figuring out what exactly is going on.

October 2
After finding standing room in an alcove or a seat on the sofa, one begins asking questions and chatting at length, discovering these one-on-one moments amount to the high point of the night. Most importantly, it’s about meeting that one person.

I sat with a potential NSF GRFP applicant and finally settled into a steady conversation with her. A senior looking to pursue a PhD in positive psychology, she had extensive research experience, but very little time to write a proposal. We discussed her prior research, proposed study and personal statement essays along with who would write the letters of recommendation and the usual application details. Finally, I asked her, “How does the next month look for you?” We laughed. Time is not an abundant commodity.

October 20
I am spending much of October learning Fastlane and the ins and outs of NSF proposals for the NSF GRP application. Naturally, it is not until I walk through some of the application
processes that I sense what needs to be included on the fellowships website. I suspect I still do not know what should be included there.

November 6
John’s interview for Marshall was tough. He just emailed his interview questions. I wish we had thought to ask him about Nihilist-motivated terrorism of 100 years ago. If only I knew what that was…

December-January
I am preparing to schmooze by planning a publicity campaign known as “Fellowships Week” (a week seems to be the standard length of campus campaigns here). I am arranging sessions on various scholarships, introducing a “fellowships club” and inviting an alumnus to campus to speak about the Capital Fellows Program, all in an effort to raise awareness of the different fellowship possibilities. Perhaps the payoff of publicity will come next year or the following. I included one event for faculty: a workshop on writing letters of recommendation.

January 16
To my surprise, after posting the workshop through our campus-wide e-newsletter, I heard from schools and departments far and wide—from the Graduate School of Business and Management to the School of Law, from the Telecommunications staff to the staff in Residential Life. While the event primarily drew Seaver College faculty, the intended audience, the diverse interest is encouraging. The workshop was a success insofar as so many faculty members opted to attend out of a deep desire to write persuasively about their students. I am resolved to repeat the workshop in the future.

February 17
As parties go, the embarrassing moments are not lost on those who endure them. Near the cafeteria we have an “Honor Wall” where students’ photos are featured along with photos of their faculty mentors. Today we unveiled the updates of last year’s student “winners” at a reception. The vendor who updates the wall jumbled photos of faculty members from two years ago, and I didn’t notice. This caused a bit of a commotion, to say the least! [Note to self for next year: Proof new material and old material alike! (…a transferable skill, no doubt).]

March 23
We learned of a Truman finalist, and threw ourselves into mocks. While our applicant did not receive the award, I’ll never forget the concluding comment to our candidate from our Faculty Director at the end of the mock session, “Regardless of what happens, you’ve taught each of us something.”

March 26
The NSF results were posted today. While our applicant did not receive the award, she received Honorable Mention and acceptance to one of her top choice doctoral programs, which assuaged her initial disappointment.

April 9
I found wisdom in the pages of NAFA’s Beyond Winning, a collection of articles edited by Suzanne McCray, and need an occasion to recognize the many and varied talents and accomplishments of our students, regardless of award outcome. The result: a reception honoring all applicants for nationally competitive awards.

The preparations feel more like precious rituals than mundane tasks. I am soliciting the students’ bios and having them printed in a program, tying ribbon on gifts and arranging bright orange flower arrangements for each table.

April 11
I brought my camera to take photos of the students at the reception. The president, dean and provost attended. We had a few students who were finalists, a few recipients and many applicants. Some students lingered well after dessert to chat with one another. It was a great day.

By the close of each coming year, I suspect I will feel the same need for a celebration.
I love a good party.