On Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 the Luther Hodges Scholars kicked off the new academic year with our Fall Welcome Back Dinner. Walking into the room that evening, it was full of energy as people greeted old friends and swapped stories from summer internships, travels, and projects. The dinner felt less like a formal event and more like a big family reunion.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening was hearing from Assistant Dean Jordan Hale. He began with a story about his grandmother, sharing the resilience she modeled and how her positive spirit changed the way he faces challenges. From there, he encouraged us to approach this semester with the same attitude, to meet obstacles but with optimism and perseverance, not with discouragement. It was the kind of message that didn’t just sound good in the moment, but one that many of us will carry with us as the semester gets more and more busy.
Dinner itself was a mix of great food and even better conversations. At my table, we found ourselves bouncing between stories about summer work experiences and our hopes for the upcoming year. There were lots of laughs, plenty of encouragement, and some thoughtful conversations that made me grateful to be surrounded by peers who are not only ambitious but also supportive.
What struck me most about the night was the sense of community. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of classes, recruiting, and everything else college throws at us, but the dinner reminded me that the Hodges program gives us something rare: a group of people who challenge us, inspire us, and cheer us on.
As we move into the semester, I think many of us left the dinner feeling both recharged and motivated. It was more than just a nice evening; it was a reminder of why this program matters and how lucky we are to be a part of it. Here’s to a year filled with growth, learning, and the kind of connections that last long after graduation.