.png)
By Arsh Haque, Class of 2015
 |
| Arsh Haque |
My first memory of Dr. Gregg was when he described an upcoming McConnell Center speaker. We were at our freshman orientation, and Lt. General Josiah Bunting was coming. Dr. Gregg described him as the kind of man who made him “sit up with better posture, and choose his words more carefully.” Even while saying this, Dr. Gregg's tempo slowed, and a stern but sincere look fell across his face. The message was simple: The role-model you choose expresses the vision of man you wish to pursue.
Dr. Kleber is that vision for me. When he is around I change. I am quick to laugh. I love more easily and simply. I join the antics of fellow scholars (ahem, Adam Dahmer), rather than turn away. No, Dr. Kleber did not sit me down and tell me to do these things. He didn't have to. When he walks into a room, as he did for THINKSgiving, you can see the love and joy he carries. And seeing those values so wholly and purely expressed - it makes the big, moral decisions seem easy.
Showing thanks in a relationship can be easy. With friends and family, you can buy gifts, share secrets, surprise them. But how does one thank someone for being? Not for the conversations held, not for the favors done, but solely and expressly for being? I don’t know. But I’ve held a silent appreciation too long, and said thanks too few times not to try.
So thank you, Dr. Kleber. Your love of nature, story, and people is inspiring. And I appreciate that more than I can express.
Arsh Haque is a junior McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. He is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Creative Writing.