Jared Linder

I am a graduate student at Ball State University’s Center for Information and Communication Sciences. I am wrapping up this eleven-month program in a few short days and wanted to share a few things with you. See, I owe you. I am merely a fill-in, a replacement, a last-minute change to the once-full dance card around here.

As of August 19, 2006, I was a mere graduate student beginning the long and arduous road of knowledge. As of August 20, 2006, I became your stand in.

Your decision to pursue other interests allowed me to fill the last remaining slot as a graduate assistant here at the Center. I have often thought of the situation from your perspective, and have hoped that your year has been fruitful and advantageous. I have often wished you—whom I have never met—nothing but the best as you pursue your own dreams and goals. And I have often wondered what you would have done had you had the opportunities that I have been graciously given.

I have decided to show you what I have done, and am hoping that my accomplishments would rival those of your own. I have had a wealth of opportunities this year, including and exceeding the normal classroom experience. Here’s a brief synopsis:

National Project Finalist, 2007 ITERA Conference
Managing Editor, CICS Newsletter
Student Representative, CICS Director Search
Grant Researcher and Author, Digital Policy Institute
Designed Web Portal for Human Factors Institute
Worked with Local Chamber of Commerce to Revitalize Community
Developed Project Timeline for FEMA Training Seminars
Working to Nationally Expand WiMAX Penetration
Author of Several Works, Including Policy Analyses, Newsletters, and Blogs much like this one
Spent $2,000 on Books, All of Which I am Keeping
Interviewed/Welcomed New Provost to the University
Visited India
Taxied on My Last $20 Across New York City
Spent The Nicest November Day Ever From a Beach In San Diego
Made Many Trips to the Airport
Led Almost Every Project I Was Allowed
Participated in Every Project I Could Find
Lived off of Powerbars, Raisins, and Coffee
Dropped a Few Balls
Traveled (including in the Air) Almost 50,000 Miles
Made a Lifelong Friendship with a Guy From Madurai
Sat front row at a Bullfight
Learned About Courage
Questioned my decisions
Fought for My Opinions
Earned the Respect of My Peers
Called My Mother on Weekends
Kissed My Fiancee Every Morning and Every Night
Conducted Interviews From My Car
Got Angry Visibly Only Twice
Cried Myself to Sleep Once
Napped at the Library in the Afternoon
Kept My Chin Up
Finished What I Started
Was Voted Student of the Year
Others which I Forget

I could go on, but I hope you get the idea. As you can see, I’ve been relatively busy. I’ve tried, Abhishek, to do the best I could. I am sorry that you missed out on this opportunity, and I only hope that your treaded path has been an exceptional one.

As I wrap up this period of my life, I only hope that I have done the same as you would have. The risks and challenges I have taken this year have not been entered into lightly, and I have grown at each step along the way. I hope that this gives you an idea of what you yourself could have accomplished, and I most earnestly hope that I have not disappointed in my attempts to fill the shoes of another.

If you should ever decide to attempt this journey, please feel free to contact me and I will help in any way I can, as you have helped me. In this life we have many attempts to make an impact. Thank you for helping me make mine.

Wishing you sincere happiness,

Jared.