By Patrick Spencer- Rios
When GUide Core reached out to me to write this blog I was (a) flattered, (b) a little worried I wouldn’t get this written in time as the deadline was the last day of my quarter, and (c) how the heck was I going to limit my writing to a few short paragraphs. As the following doesn’t talk about me too much, per say, I think it would be helpful to get to know each other a little more —
My name is Patrick Spencer-Rios and I graduated in 2013 Cum Laude with a double major in International Relations & Psychology.
I was born in Seattle and lived there for 10 years prior to moving to Puebla, Mexico (SE of Mexico City) where I remained until I came back stateside to college.
I always carry a bottle of chipotle hot sauce in my backpack and am awful at playing FIFA.
Sometimes when I’m out running, biking or driving, I ask myself “how did I get here?”, “where has time gone?” — it is in instances like this that I look back upon the years not long gone by and realize how much I have changed and grown since graduating college.
Even today, as I sit in my apartment in San Francisco, I ask myself – how in the heck did I go from Gonzaga, to working internationally for a couple years to only wind up at a matured tech start-up in the Bay Area? Seems like yesterday my dad dropped me off at C/M* and took off bidding me adieu. A year later I was moving into DeSmet, the summer after that was spent roaming the Zambezi bush playing soccer and teaching leadership… upperclassman years were spent living off campus keeping a healthy college/work/life balance… and in a blink of an eye I was putting on my cap and gown, kicking back a PBR prior to graduation ceremony and before I knew it I was out. Just like that. Somewhat of a rude awakening; it’s like Gonzaga said to me “thanks for participating, Patrick; see you on the flip-side”
I’ll be honest with you incoming freshman, I am very jealous -in a good way- of the journey you are about to embark on. If I could, I would go back and do it all over again- but then again, I am so happy with the experience I had at Gonzaga that there is a welcome feeling of nostalgia in looking back and reminiscing from time to time.
These next years are for YOU – they are your time to shine and develop in to who you are to be. Never for one second forget that who you are to be, you are now becoming. And a big portion of your identity will forever be tied and engrained into what it is to be a Zag and a member of the Gonzaga Community.
It’s a little serendipitous that I find myself writing this today, as a manager at my place of work said to me earlier this week “dude, I have never met somebody with more school pride than you” – to which I replied nonchalantly “darn right, Go Zags – there’s nothing like it”. Now, don’t get me wrong – there is so much more to Gonzaga than basketball – yes, we are good, yes we have one of the loudest home court advantages in the nation, and yes, I dressed up as Spike the Bulldog for four years – but don’t forget to embrace everything that is Gonzaga at heart: the people, the events, the smells, the COG cookies, dinner at Jesuit House, every little piece of it – soak in every experience because this will all influence who you become.
As you embark on your journey through Gonzaga, you will start to notice nuances in your fellow students. You see, having the privilege to attend Gonzaga means you have chosen to go a different route. Nothing against our great Nation’s state schools or other fellow religiously affiliated institutions of higher education – but by choosing Gonzaga, you have chosen to go the, what I like to call – the “Jesuit Route”. By now, most of you (regardless of background, public or private school, or religious affiliation) you will be well versed in what the “Jesuit Education System” is all about. If you remember one thing from this blog, remember this: Magis. That’s “The more” in Latin, which is related to other phrases in Latin, related to Jesuit Order and their mission. However, what Magis boils down to, is exactly that “The more”. Here’s the thing, when you decide to go to school with the Jesuits, you will learn to philosophize and come up with your own hypothesis and theories in regards to different topics — and what you are about to read, is myself, theorizing on what “the More” is.
By attending Gonzaga, you chose something beyond a “traditional” college education, thus, you chose “The More”. As the Gonzaga breeze catches your sails and you make way for your destination down the bend, you will continue to grow and you will begin to discern what “The More” really means. You will love going home for the holidays, but I’ll bet next week’s paycheck that about a week and a half before you are required to be back at school, you will already be daydreaming about being back on campus. Choosing “The More” means you chose to go to school to gain more than just a degree. Whether you recognize it yet or not, what you will leave Gonzaga with is much more than a piece of paper. The friendships you will make and experiences you have will all be a part of “The More”. ‘The More” will also include the unique values and thoughts you will continuously nurture and develop as you venture down this path.
Now, here’s the tickler — “The More” does not simply wear off when your time at Gonzaga expires… “The More” is something that is now etched in your bones and is a part of the blood that runs through your veins. Getting accepted into Gonzaga was a privilege, accepting the offer was your choice, and upholding the Gonzaga name and everything it embodies is your honor & obligation. As you go to class, make friends, go out in the evenings, create memories, spend countless hours in the library, turn in essays, debate points, learn to listen, etc. you will be developing into the person you are to be – and when the time comes (which will come much faster than you think) of when you walk across the stage to receive your diploma, you will have earned much more than that piece of paper; you will have earned the privilege to uphold what it means to call Gonzaga your Alma Mater. Embrace it; it’s your lifestyle. It’s “The More”.
It’s the opportunity to strike a conversation with a stranger and discuss a random topic or the courage to speak up against the masses for what you believe in.
It’s your ability to discern a situation and know which course of action to take. It’s being proud of where you are from.
It’s loving yourself, and always striving to be a better human.
While at Gonzaga, you will undoubtedly be looking to the future and will base your decisions on where it is where you want to be – and this is great, because as you continue your voyage, you shouldn’t keep your sights off of the stars and planets that you wish to reach – however, as my boy Obi Wan says, “be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment.” ** Trust me, the future will come. You will turn in those unwritten essays and you will have the knowledge to fill-in-the-blank in your next 101 class – you will be ok, I promise. So sit back, relax, close your eyes, and enjoy the journey you are about to embark on. However, don’t get me wrong – it will be hard voyage, one with both trials and successes, but you will make it. And who you are to be, you are now becoming. Embrace it.
Now, growth doesn’t really stop after Gonzaga. I find myself about two years after I graduated, and I definitely don’t feel like the person I was when I graduated. Since then, I have worked internationally all over Latin America and have now landed in San Francisco working for a matured startup. Although, I don’t feel like the same person I was, I can tell you that the four years at Gonzaga were pivotal into how I would carry myself and conduct business in these past two years that have now landed me where I am now. I still carry “The More” with me from day-to-day.
As I sit back typing these last few words, I can’t help but think of the incredible adventure you are about to embark on – and I wish you could see my smile. There is so much to see, so much to do, and so much to learn, and you are all about to jump right in — I am proud of you all – and don’t forget, always look to find “The More”.
Cheers Zags,
PSR.
Class of ’13