My name is Whitney Merrill ‘09, and I am the Vice President of Finance at Trinity College. I hail from Chicago, Illinois, and I really believe that this year, after 100 years of “this is THE year”, the Cubs will win the World Series. More importantly though, I have the wonderful privilege and pleasure to welcome you and express how happy I am that you have chosen to come to Trinity. As you prepare to step into a whole new world of education, I am sure some of you are feeling intimidated, excited, scared, or overwhelmed. This will pass very quickly, and in what will feel like a very short period of time, you will be thinking, “Wow, where did the last three years go? I want to do it again.”

My first year was a whirl of new experiences, new friends, and new activities. The following are a few experiences that helped define my first year. On my very first day at Trinity, move in day, it was about 95 degrees out and pouring rain, half of my stuff was packed in boxes, and as you know wet cardboard is no fun. After moving in all of my stuff up three flights of stairs, I looked like a mess, but so did everyone else. I think it is obvious to say that these were not ideal move in conditions. (I hope that your move in day is a cool 80 degrees and sunny.) But by 6 o’clock that evening, I had met over 50 different people, who were all in the same boat as I, in a new environment, and tired of the heat and rain. One of my favorite parts about the first few weeks of college is how easily it is to meet new people; people would just walk up and introduce themselves to those around them as they passed them in the halls of the dorms or along the Long Walk. So, I encourage you to continue that, meet as many new people as possible, because you will be happy you did.

I knew going in to Trinity that I wanted to start a Model United Nations club, but had no idea where to start. I had mentioned to someone I met in passing that I wanted to do this, and they informed me that there was another Whitney who wanted to do the same. I got in contact with her and we slowly but surely figured out the system together to get a club started. It helped to have someone to figure it all out with. Through starting and running a club, I have met people on campus that I may have never met during my time at Trinity, and they are some of my dearest friends, from all years, from countries all over the world, and involved in many different activities and sports. Sometimes, it is hard to figure out where to start, I know it was for me, so use the resources available to you, ask your mentors, First Year Orientation Leaders, teachers, deans, friends, anyone on SGA or me about what Trinity has to offer.

I know it may seem intimidating to email someone you have never met, but PLEASE feel free to email me (or facebook message me) if you have any questions, need advice, need help finding your way around campus activities and clubs, or have a suggestion for what you would like to see SGA do to help improve Trinity.

Most importantly of all, be open to new people, new experiences, and new activities. Remember to be yourself, work hard, and get involved. Trinity is an incredible place full of opportunities; take advantage of them! One day you will be thinking, “I want to do it all again!”

Whitney Merrill ‘09
whitney.merrill@trincoll.edu