Editor’s Note: I sometimes invite a colleague from the board or staff or a student of The Scholarship Foundation to be a guest blogger. Alumnus and current board member John Milonas was VP-Program last year and is now starting a term as VP-Advancement. I’m grateful for the reflections inspired by his recent visit to his alma mater! -Faith Sandler
John “Milinas”, pictured here (with misspelled last name) on the 1988 Purdue Mechanical Engineering Department graduate poster.
When I graduated in 1988, I never thought it would take me 37 years to visit the Purdue campus again. My husband and I recently spent a few days there and I was surprised by the nostalgia that I felt.
I thought about what a small bubble college students lived in during the 1980s. We had no cell phones, no personal computers, no internet, and no social media. The only contact that I had with the outside world was the landline in my dorm room and my 12-inch black and white television. We were able to concentrate 100% on our studies and social life. I am so proud that The Scholarship Foundation realizes the immense pressures on our students today and provides services to help them with the non-academic issues that they face.
Robert and I enjoyed walking around the campus to see the incredible progress that has been made since I left. We toured the mechanical engineering building, which brought back good and bad memories (thermodynamics!). The highlight was visiting my dorm to show Robert how I lived for four years. The rooms that I lived in over the four years seemed so small and are still not air-conditioned. Call me strange, but I was craving a college cafeteria lunch, which we had, and it did not disappoint!
John and husband, Robert, in the same dormitory that John called home during his time at Purdue.
I had no idea where my life would lead me as I drove away from Purdue, but I knew that the sacrifices I made to attain my degree put me on a trajectory for success. Back then, based on my childhood, I thought that success was mainly measured financially. Now I know that success means being true to my ideals, striving to do the right thing in all situations, helping others to achieve, and cherishing the special people in my life.
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis played a major part in my success at Purdue. My interest-free loans lessened the stress that I felt each time that I knew a tuition payment was due. I am so proud to now serve on the board and give back in a small way to make sure that The Scholarship Foundation serves as many worthy students as possible.
– John Milonas
