At this year’s event, which was held Aug. 31, first-year students received tokens of inspiration they can give to a faculty or staff member as a symbol of appreciation for what they provide. The tokens read, “Discover, Engage, Serve. Pass it on,” to remind students of their missions as Pointers, not only to learn, but to make the world around them better.

 

Student Government Association President Katie Cronmiller and Vice President Amy Vida, in leading the token of inspiration ceremony, chose Diversity and College Access Director Ron Strege and Religious Studies Professor Shanny Luft respectively, as the people who would receive their tokens.

 

Cronmiller, while addressing students, presented Strege, who also served as the Convocation keynote speaker this day.

Strege “challenges me every day to be a better person, a more creative thinker, a more compassionate friend and
a kinder person,” Cronmiller said. He inspires me and challenges me, and most importantly, he will go to the ends of the earth to support any student who needs an ally or asks for his help.”

 

She asked Strege to join her at the Convocation podium.

 

“I would like to thank you with all my heart for everything you have done for me, for being an excellent adviser to (the Student Government Association), for embodying the idea that what matters most is student success, and for being a resource and mentor to hundreds of students,” Cronmiller said.

It was then Vida’s turn.

 

Vida said she met Luft when she took his Religion in America course in spring 2013. It was the only course taught by Luft she had a chance to take.

 

However, "he has done a great deal to change the way I view the study and consideration of religion, and he has done even more to change the way I think about the profession of teaching," said Vida, a family and consumer sciences major.

 

“Now, as a future teacher myself,” Vida added, “I look for the educator I want to be in each educator that I have. And I was amazed by what I saw as his student. The man is my hero.”

 

“I would like to pass on my token of inspiration to you, Professor Luft,” Vida said. “You have been an honest inspiration to me, and it’s been an honor to learn from you. You are warm, funny, giving, kind, and you are great at what you do.”

 

Strege and Luft are just two of hundreds of examples of people who inspire UW-Stevens Point students. Learn more about the people who will inspire you in your education by visiting us and learning more about what it means to be a Pointer.