Over the last 30 years or so, I have been a student, a faculty member or an administrator at five different college campuses. Some of these institutions have been small, rural campuses, while others have been large universities that resemble medium-sized cities. As a general rule, I have found the smaller campuses to have a friendlier feel, at least for me.
Clinton is a small, rural community college, so it's not surprising that people here tend to know each other and act in a friendly manner. Generally speaking, I'm a friendly guy. When I pass a member of the campus community, I usually make eye contact and say hello, or at least flash a smile. I often do this even if I am not personally acquainted with the person who is passing. Most of the time, people who notice my gesture will return a smile or a kind word as we each continue on our way.
The striking thing this Fall is that so many of our students are beating me to the punch; they're saying hello to me before I can say it to them. I love it! And just when I am starting to feel good about that, some students are even approaching me and striking up an actual conversation. How cool is that?
Some might say that I am observing a fluke occurrence, a random fluctuation in human behavior, but I think there's something more to it. I think that the positive attitude of our faculty and staff is a model for student behavior. And then, the good nature of our students helps make us feel better, and we enter a positive feedback loop.
On Saturday, about 20 students turned out to march with the CCC float in the annual Battle of Plattsburgh Parade. The students arrived in identical green tee shirts made especially for the occasion. On the back of the shirts were three simple words: Leadership, Friendship, Service. I was impressed! If they were any doubt in my mind that a conscious effort is underway to make our campus community an even friendlier place, those shirts put those doubts to rest.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again, "A bad day at Clinton is better than a good day at most other places." I am very happy to be working at such a friendly place.
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