Advocates welcome

By Joyce Sipka Winner, Alumni Council President

Acouple of summers ago at a Cleveland Indians baseball game, my attention was drawn to a young man a few sections away who continually stood up, flung his arms in the air to signal the beginning of “the wave,” then would sit back down. At times people would follow for a while, and then quit when “the wave” didn’t take shape. Each time it would appear to die down along the way, this young man would stand up again, wave his arms wildly, then sit back down to signal its new beginning. Each time the wave passed by it traveled a little bit further through the crowd. In time, this action swept through the entire stadium. All 60,000 fans were in unison cheering and shouting as the wave passed through their section. I realized that very quietly and anonymously, thousands of people were affected by this one solitary, but consistent, act.

I’m learning as I grow older that our actions, all of them, are important. Some rank higher of course, but nonetheless, we make a difference and impact others in life just by being ordinary folks performing ordinary acts. By continuing to quietly and anonymously advocate change, others are affected.

Anderson University needs advocates. We have students who seek internships and employment. Our churches need alums to encourage youth and bring them to campus for a visit. We need individuals to help organize alumni gatherings in their home areas. We need alums in the Anderson area to volunteer in the office. We need churches to invite AU groups to share in their worship and youth services. We need people to provide financially to the university. Each year thousands of people return to campus for Homecoming. We would be thrilled to have you join us. There are many actions that advocate and support Anderson University. To us, it may appear to be a small deed, but the significance is in its reaction, not the act itself.

We are all here together cheering for the home team. The game continues to be played, and played well. The team needs each and every one of us in the crowd to stand up and start our own wave.