Winning

Author: Dan Bernick, SAS ’14

I lost.  I ran for Vice President of the Undergraduate Assembly and lost. My team developed a platform, mobilized an army of supporters, and sent thousands of emails.  I spoke with hundreds of students and learned a ton about Penn.  But still, I lost.

I had poured my heart into the campaign.  The following week was tough, and I began to question my involvement with student government.

Fortunately, I cheered up enough to go out and support my favorite team (Penn!).  While I shouted myself hoarse for our women’s lacrosse team, someone sat down next to me.  It was Penn President Amy Gutmann, cheering twice as loud as any of us.  I soaked it all in: looking out I saw my team, fighting tooth and nail for the ball; looking left I saw my friends, covered head to toe in Red and Blue; looking right I saw my President, putting us to shame with her enthusiasm; and looking up I saw the clear sky, perfect weather for an amazing night.

That’s when it hit me: Only at Penn can you lose and still be a winner.  Not two weeks after the election, I was watching a lacrosse game with our extraordinary President, rooting for the Quakers and chatting about plans for next year.  Penn is where I want to be, what I want to do, and why I want to do it.

At the Lacrosse Game with President Amy Gutmann

I cannot wait for the fall!