Inauguration Poem Reading

What Makes Family

By Logan Stacer, Junior, Communication Studies

When I was growing up my family had
what we'll call a tradition
where if I needed help on my homework
they would help me

So my family and I
would read and listen and learn together
until my homework was done
and they had to bring it to me when I left it on the kitchen table

At school I always tried to mimic my family
From a young age it's easy to make friends when you read and listen and learn with them
Whether reading descriptions of trading cards
Listening to larger than life lies we listed through our teeth telling tales of "why my dad is better than your dad"
All this human interaction as we learn about basic math

Then I got to high school
And met my first teacher who would
Read and listen and learn with me

She treated me like my family would
Whether reading on current events
Or listening to me give speeches
We learned how to make each other better

Now here I am before you, President Myers
As I welcome you as the new head of the family
I ask you to read and listen and learn with us

Read the testimonies of faculty – of family
Seeking needed resources to work to the best of their abilities

Listen to the multicultural students – to family
When we say there are still steps to be taken to make us feel more welcome

Learn how you can help us
The family of Kansas State you now preside over
And I guarantee you we will learn together to love this family the way that has always made every person a Wildcat

As a land-grant university it is our responsibility to feed the world
But don't forget to feed the future we're fostering right here

Welcome to the family
President Myers
With that said
We've got homework to do