Now that you know how I got here, let me tell you a little bit of what I have been up to. It has already been exciting work. My position, intern, is defined as assisting in all things Friends Center. I would like to fill you in on what some of my bigger projects have been. The project I have probably devoted the most energy to is creating a web presence for Friends Center. It has been quite an experience. I took a class on computer programming in high school, but as I approached this project, that class seemed like a lifetime ago. I have been learning about html, facebook pages, and many other things. It's been fun to learn, and has expanded my horizons. Feel free to check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Friends-Center/.
I have also been working on an updated alumni database for the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the program, we are trying to collect information for potential reunion activites next fall. The other big project I have been working on is a brochure that contains information on the speakers we are bringing to campus this year. Working on this has gotten me really excited to hear the folks who are coming, and what they can offer our community here at Guilford. The list includes several authorities in their respective disciplines, including Shane Claiborne, Najeeba Sayeed-Miller, and Stephen Zunes. Keep your eyes open for that brochure. If you are in the area you won't want to miss these speakers.
Another fun part of the summer is the opportunity to travel. As many Yearly Meeting sessions happen over the summer, we are enjoying getting out on the road and getting to see Friends. I had the pleasure of attending North Carolina Yearly Meeting - Conservative a couple of weeks ago (see previous blog post) and am really excited to be attending Friends United Meeting Triennial sessions this weekend in Wilmington, OH. I will also attend North Carolina Yearly Meeting - FUM over labor day weekend at Black Mountain, NC. One of my passions in Quakerism is inter-visitation. It is so good to be able to travel among F(f)riends and share in fellowship and worship. I don't think that I ever would have guessed how much work goes on here at Guilford over the summer, but everyone seems to be working at least as hard as they do during the year.
While change is inevitable, it also feels like there are some things at Guilford which will never change. Most of the changes that are apparent to me are in the facilities. Founders has been updated, there's an art installation on the quad, and another set of "new apartments". But the spirit feels the same. My favorite part of my work has been meeting with students who are here this summer. They easily could have been students when I was a student here. There is the same search for truth, hunger for spirituality, and kind-hearted concern for others. It is so good to know that what was so crucial to my Guilford is experience is still alive and well. Guilford was such a formative experience for me in so many ways. Here I not only learned about music, but also about myself, and about the world. It's good to know that students are still thirsty for knowledge, and that that thirst is being assuaged, if not quenched. And so that is what I am up to. If you would like to be in contact with me, please feel free to call or e-mail me. My office number 336.316.2379 and my email is sebensnp@guilford.edu. Also, if you find your way to campus, please stop by my office. It is located in the Community Center, in what used to be the meditation room.
Nathan Sebens '06, Friends Center Intern
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