February Editorial

In the spirit of the recent Valentine's Day, I am going to tell you a little bit about my love affair with Hendrix College. Like all relationships, I have had my ups and downs with Hendrix—some days I adore being a student here and other days I wonder how I ended up in this tiny college in this tiny town. But the truth is, I cannot fathom my life without having been a Hendrix student. As an Admissions Intern, prospective students and families' always ask what my favorite aspect of being at Hendrix College is. The answer is easy: the faculty and staff. I vehemently believe that this college thrives because we have a faculty and staff that truly and thoroughly cares for the wellbeing of every single student here. Hendrix College's immensely hard-working faculty was the inspiration for this month's issue of The Profile.

We chose to feature professors from a multitude of departments as means to introduce students to the plethora of talents that serve on our faculty. If given the chance, I would have loved to be able to print a feature story on every single faculty member on our campus. The entire staff chose the professors featured and I am so grateful for the work that the writers and photographers have put in as well as the cooperation of the professors involved. My hope with this issue is that Hendrix students will get to know professors that they might have never met before. I hope that students read these stories and find inspiration in the work and lives of our faculty members, because they certainly are an inspirational bunch.

I have had the most wonderful relationships with some of the professors and Hendrix staffers I have met over the years. Dr. Alice Hines, who also serves as The Profile's patient advisor, has been a tireless supporter of both my academic and extra-curricular pursuits. Dr. Hines is one of the most caring and genuine people that I have ever met and our publication would not be possible without her. Dr. Tyrone Jaeger, also of the English department, has done remarkable things to the Creative Writing program here at Hendrix. He has been instrumental in helping me find my way as a writer and I know that he has served as a mentor to the other aspiring writers on our campus as well. The Spanish department has some of the most fun professors that you will ever meet—Dr. Lilian Contreras-Silva's classes never fail to simultaneously amuse and inform me and I had a wonderful time during the Hendrix-in-Madrid program getting to know Dr. Jose Vilahomat and Irmina Fabricio. I can honestly say that I would not be at Hendrix if it were not for the tireless work of Jennifer McKenzie of the Office of Admission, who recruited me back to Hendrix after I thought this campus was far too hippy-dippy for a high-heeled girl like me. Jenn runs the (award-winning!) visit program at Hendrix and chances are that her work, and the rest of the Admissions staff, had a big part in most students' decisions to come here. And, of course, there is our sweet Mimi. My meals in our cafeteria would not have been the same without her smiling face and her brilliant accessories. These are simply some of the people at Hendrix that have changed my life, but I can honestly say that I have learned something valuable about myself as a person and a student from every course that I have taken here at Hendrix. Our professors push students to new depths and make us into better writers and better critical thinkers.

This issue also features many exciting pieces on varying events that have been going on around campus. For those who missed the recent Super Bowl—I personally was watching re-runs of Oprah—staff writer Tyler White provides a recap of the Green Bay Packers victory. One of the members of Hendrix's Dance Team, Maia Yang, provides insider scoop on the talented members of the team. Our Scene Editor scoured the depths of Facebook to find the best of Hendrix's recent Snowpocalypse 2011 and columnist Connor Hyde has an in-depth look at writer Matthew Pitt's recent visit to Hendrix. Staff Writer Stephanie Oshrin stands as an inspiration as she shares her experience of organizing the recent Rally for Reproductive Justice. We have such a myriad of students and talents on this campus and I hope that this issue reflects that spirit.

As always, please feel free send any questions or comments to me at mcmillanbl@hendrix.edu –I would love to hear from you.