To all my second-floor Seavers Beavers: Thank you.

Thank you for being the best group of residents I could have possibly ended up with. When I moved into Seavers Hall for RA training in early August, I was terrified of what was to come. 

I did not know who my residents would be, if they would like me and whether I would be able to handle this job. I learned the answer to my first concern on move-in day, and it did not take long to realize I need not worry about the other two either.

Throughout the year, I have described our floor as “lightning in a bottle.” We got a seemingly perfect combination of two social RAs and an overwhelmingly social floor. From our late-night hallway social hours to community trips to McDonald’s and Sheetz, I would not give these past eight months up for anything. 

Working with all of you — and our many honorary second-floor friends — has been the highlight of my Ship experience thus far and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

This is not an easy job by any stretch. It is often demanding and can take a lot out of any RA. But even on the days when I felt overwhelmed, I still wanted to chat with you and get the latest tea. You are intelligent, determined and beautiful people — and genuinely funny. 

I continue to learn from you all on a daily basis, and the things we have gone through together will help me give the next class of Seavers residents an even better first-year experience. 

Many of you have told me in these last few weeks of the year that you will be back in Seavers in the fall to keep tabs on me and my new residents. I love the sentiment, but the ultimate sign of me doing my job well is for all of you to go thrive on the West Side.

I hope to stay connected with many of you —and I know you want our GroupMe to stay active — but I hope even more to see you continue to discover your passions on campus and make the most of your time here. 

Don’t get me wrong, it is going to be an adjustment to not hear the boys of 226 outside my door, the track stars in 205 running down the hall or the friends who like to knock on my door to chat and/or gossip — you know who you are. However, I am excited to bring the energy and sense of community that Seavers Hall has created into the next academic year.

I know that I have not done this job perfectly, and I am excited to change some of my techniques to improve my wing for next year.

But I hope you leave Seavers feeling like you have been supported and cared for. It may not have been an everyday feeling, but each of you is valued and played a part in making our home the place to beavers.

With Love,

RA Connor

Share