Would I Be Remembered at U of I?

My brother sent in a "Hat Tip" to DFO at Huckleberries Online about an article in the LA Times that talks about Sarah Palin, and her obscurity as a student at the University of Idaho.

When I was a senior in the School of Communications, Palin was just arriving. If a reporter had investigated my tenure at the university, there would be some tangible evidence I existed.

But I'm not sure anyone would really remember working with me. I'm not sure classmates would remember me either.

And I think of my professors. I really don't think I made a lasting impression on any of them. If my name was brought up, I seriously doubt they could recall much about me. And the School of Communications wasn't a very tight knit group at the time. You had journalism majors, public relations majors, advertising majors, and radio and tv production. But, if I recall, not a whole lot of cohesiveness in the department.

Yes, I realize I'm not running for political office, but, if by some weird turn of fate I was all of a sudden running for some high profile office, and a reporter started looking into my career at the U of I, they might find this:

1) She was known by members of her Tri Delta sorority, but if questioned by members of other Greek houses, only the ones who were from her hometown even remembered her.

2) Yes, she did work at the Argonaut as a reporter, and she sold advertising, and was an announcer the radio station. Perhaps the name may be familiar, but not sure if I can place the face.

3) She was in the marching band and sang in Jazz Choir but, again, unless she went to high school, or lived with them in the same house, students can't really place her.

4) Was involved in a campus ministry group called Campus Crusade for Christ. The leader at the time remembers her, and maybe a few students involved, even though she was in leadership positions in the group for more than two years.

5) She also got second place her junior year in the U of I talent show. But no one seems to recall who she was, or what talent she performed.

So I was a fairly active college student, but I still think unless you lived with me in the same house, or we went to high school together, I probably didn't make that great of impression on anyone.

Partly because I was very unsure of myself. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I pretty much stayed under the radar. I think it was my choice not to be out there too much.

I remember going to a few UI Alumni functions, and always feeling uncomfortable, because I always felt no one really knew who I was.

And Palin was only there maybe 2 years. And probably a bit unsure of herself, as well.

But now that I am 45, I too have a much stronger personality. I know a bit more who I am, what I want, and have much more confidence than that unsure college student. And I think a big part of it came from moving back home 8 years ago. I'd say a majority of the people here in the Silver Valley know who I am, because I'm out there more. And I'm more outgoing, and friendlier, and am not afraid to take risks and state my opinion.

So, what it all boils down to is it doesn't surprise me that Sarah Palin emerged as a dynamic personality in her home state of Alaska, where she probably gained her confidence in her hometown of Wasilla. And, like me, she was probably helped by having a loving relationship with her husband, family, and her church family.