By the light of the moon

If you want to be a Badger, just come along with me,

By the light, by the light, by the light of the moon.
If you want to be a Badger, just come along with me,
By the bright shining light of the moon.
By the light of the moon, by the light of the moon,
By the bright shining light, by the light of the moon.
If you want to be a Badger, just come along with me,
By the bright shining light of the moon.
  Source: UWBadgers.com

Yesterday morning at about 7:00 am, Mary Kunz Berge passed away. And I know the "light of the moon" from now on will be just a little bit brighter because of Mary.

I first met Mary and Paul Berge in 2003 when they generously agreed to chair the School's Centennial Committee. Fresh from chairing the University Sesquicentennial Committee, Mary and Paul never hesitated, never even blinked but said "of course" when Dean Douthitt asked them to take on this challenge. And unbeknownst to them, Robin had assigned me to be their staff leader. Me, a complete greenhorn about campus and the School - I had only been there a few months, tops. Surely Mary would need someone with more experience on campus, more history with the School.

Over the course of our year long project, Mary and Paul welcomed me into their home and taught me what it means to be a Badger. It's not the football games, the sunsets at the Union, the great classes or the band. Sure those are all great elements - but what Mary showed me was so much bigger. It is about stepping up when you see a need, and giving more of your time and talent than anyone would ever expect. Mary was the first person to say "how can I help" - she did more than "talk the talk", she walked it every day.

I had the pleasure of shooting a video with Mary and Paul about their gift to the 100 Women initiative -Paul and their children were among the first to participate. During the interview I asked Mary why she's so engaged, what motivates her to give so much of herself to the School. Without hesitation Mary told me that whether it is the textile collection being a place for scholars or the human development and family studies programs or the community leadership initiatives, she believes in the importance of our mission to improve the quality of other people's lives.

My feelings are too raw right now to do Mary justice. I see her sitting at the board of visitors table, her ponytail always tied with a grosgrain ribbon. I hear her laugh and see her smile. Over the last few years Mary walked with a little assistance from a cane but true to her spirit, it was not any cane. Hers was a mosaic of color, sparkle and reflection - it was as unique and original as its owner.

I will miss you Mary and every time the light of the moon shines on our School, we know you are there.

It is alive!

What? Is this a line from "Young Frankenstein"? Or "The Sound of Music"?

Nope, I am talking about Nancy Nicholas Hall - it is alive!

My colleagues have been teasing me over the last year, wondering if I will be comfortable with people walking in this spanky building. I tease right back threatening to make people wipe their feet or use a coaster in my nice clean house!

The day before the semester began (yes I was in on Labor Day , it only seemed right as this project was both a labor of love for the School and labor pains associated with birth only this time I can't yell at my husband) I walked the building. I avoided the faculty who were preparing for class because I was not there for them, I was there for purely selfish reasons. I was there for me.

The solitude of the building was, actually, unsatisfying. Oh sure the floors were clean and furniture all in its designed place. It was neat, orderly and all according to the plan.

But it was quiet and had no energy. It was missing something important - the buzz that only comes with students.Yesterday we welcomed students back to the School of Human Ecology and THEIR brand new home.

I saw graduate students in the Graduate Student Lounge and in the Graduate Studio; I heard joyful squeals when students come together from a summer apart. Students were lined up for advising sessions in the waiting area of the Fetzer Center and lots eager faces in the large classroom. I spent my morning in the Link helping people find their way around this beautiful building and yes, I saw students curled up on the sofas at the end of the east hallways, feet on the furniture and food on the tables.

And I couldn't be happier.

Welcome home, boy we've missed you!