Give Me This Mountain
I met Wes in the fall of 2008 on Day 1 of the MPA orientation. Wes and I were on the same team for our first semester, which meant working together in every class and most projects, papers, and presentations. By the end, the five of us were like siblings--we had gotten to know each other, disagreed with each other, taught each other, and loved each other. We had encountered some failures along with great successes and the peaks and troughs that inevitably accompany such journeys.
From the beginning Wes proved a spiritual guide for the team. He gave us our theme, "Give me this mountain" (Joshua 14:12), which carried us through the stresses and pressures of that first, critical semester. Our team--Curiously Strong--had a lot of energy, which could sometimes make us a bit frantic at crunch time. But Wes always pushed forward with calm, strong, steady leadership. In fact, I wrote in one of my personal reflections to Dr. Thompson, our Organizational Behavior professor, that "when Wes speaks, there is substance and wisdom. He steadies the group, helping us maintain fun and focus" (10/07/08). His patronus for the team was a Hawk, "known for his sharp eye and sound wisdom" (Curiously Strong Team Charter).
With that strength, of course, came a wonderful sense of Wes humor. Once, after a late, late night email from me that came out a bit garbled (sent at midnight) Wes responded (at 2 a.m.): "purplemonkeygrasshopper to you too." We had many a fun and funny conversation in the Cannon Center, where Wes would frequently give up his free meal tickets and treat the team to lunch. I remember him showing us his awesome superhero drawings at one of our team parties--forming a whole new connection between us (Marvel superheroes of course).
Wes has taken on a mountain in his life, or more aptly put, a mountain range. And he continues to summit. I had the privilege of seeing a few major summits in his life. The birth of Spencer, success throughout the MPA program, dedication as a young men's leader, and graduation from the program amid physical trials I cannot comprehend. He has demonstrated endurance in a remarkable way. He has carried many burdens, his own and others', up those lofty heights and I'm certain with each peak the view becomes more celestial.
Thank you, Wes for showing me how to ask for, accept, take on, and summit the mountain. God bless you, and your amazing family.
From the beginning Wes proved a spiritual guide for the team. He gave us our theme, "Give me this mountain" (Joshua 14:12), which carried us through the stresses and pressures of that first, critical semester. Our team--Curiously Strong--had a lot of energy, which could sometimes make us a bit frantic at crunch time. But Wes always pushed forward with calm, strong, steady leadership. In fact, I wrote in one of my personal reflections to Dr. Thompson, our Organizational Behavior professor, that "when Wes speaks, there is substance and wisdom. He steadies the group, helping us maintain fun and focus" (10/07/08). His patronus for the team was a Hawk, "known for his sharp eye and sound wisdom" (Curiously Strong Team Charter).
With that strength, of course, came a wonderful sense of Wes humor. Once, after a late, late night email from me that came out a bit garbled (sent at midnight) Wes responded (at 2 a.m.): "purplemonkeygrasshopper to you too." We had many a fun and funny conversation in the Cannon Center, where Wes would frequently give up his free meal tickets and treat the team to lunch. I remember him showing us his awesome superhero drawings at one of our team parties--forming a whole new connection between us (Marvel superheroes of course).
Wes has taken on a mountain in his life, or more aptly put, a mountain range. And he continues to summit. I had the privilege of seeing a few major summits in his life. The birth of Spencer, success throughout the MPA program, dedication as a young men's leader, and graduation from the program amid physical trials I cannot comprehend. He has demonstrated endurance in a remarkable way. He has carried many burdens, his own and others', up those lofty heights and I'm certain with each peak the view becomes more celestial.
Thank you, Wes for showing me how to ask for, accept, take on, and summit the mountain. God bless you, and your amazing family.
Sounds like you guys were a good group. A team charter and everything! That's commitment.
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