"I Knew Good Things Would Follow"

Jonathan Luu ’12 hails from Austin.  “The live music capitol of the world,” he boasts happily, “and the weirdest city in Texas!  I still have Austin pride, and I show it off whenever I have a chance.”

Jonathan’s “Austin pride” only makes his decision to apply to Texas A&M that much more interesting, especially since he can’t put his finger on exactly why he wanted to come here.  All he knew for sure was this university offered an unidentifiable ... something ... no other university could.  But while he may have trouble verbalizing his reasons for choosing A&M, he can pinpoint his favorite Aggie moment in a heartbeat.

“The day I got my acceptance letter,” he replies succinctly.  “I knew good things would follow that moment.”  Good things did, which no doubt explains the fact that Jonathan rates coming to Aggieland “one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Live and Learn
Among the good things that followed his enrollment at Texas A&M was an encounter with Dr. Craig Rotter, Coordinator of Residence Life Leadership Education and advisor to the Department of Residence Life’s Leadership Living Learning Community (L3C).   Having heard about the freshman’s involvement in issues-based campaigns, Dr. Rotter thought he and the L3C might be a perfect fit.    One online application and an acceptance letter later, Jonathan entered a program he found rife with opportunities, providing “an unparalleled freshman experience.”

“The Leadership Living Learning Community,” Jonathan explains, “is designed around the five components of Dr. Susan Komive’s Relational Leadership Model:  purpose, process, empowerment, ethics, and inclusion.  The diverse L3C community helped me realize my purpose as a leader, which is to pursue social justice issues in our global community.”  An aspiration shared and supported by his peers in the residence hall.

"Living learning communities maintain a close knit atmosphere for which Texas A&M is known,” says Dr. Rotter.  “Being able to meet people within your field of study or in an area of common interest, such as ‘leadership’ for the Leadership Living Learning Community, can bring people together from many walks of life.  When students live and learn together, they develop a spirit of camaraderie and a passion to make a difference.  It doesn't get more Aggie than that."

Of course, serving the global community requires a global outlook, the ability to relate to and appreciate individuals from cultural backgrounds other than our own.  Understanding that, Jonathan added a Sociology degree and an Africana Studies minor to his Urban and Regional Sciences major.  The Leadership Living Learning Community also addressed the group’s need for increased global awareness in a number of ways, one of which was a visit to international and graduate students living in the University Apartments.  Sampling cuisine from all over the world and hearing about his hosts’ experiences made for one of Jonathan’s most memorable moments.

“It was great, being able to absorb information from many different cultures,” he points out.  “It helped us realize the Aggie family is multicultural and extends beyond the Bryan-College Station area.”

Leaders of Character
With a start like that, the next logical step was taking a leadership role on campus, a project Jonathan more or less dived into headfirst!  He was a Senator serving the College of Architecture in the 61st session of the Student Senate; the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for the Residence Hall Association (RHA); a member of the Student Government Association’s Environmental Issues and Academic Affairs Committees, the MSC Renovation and Expansion Advisory Committee, and the Student Diversity Alliance.  As you might imagine, with a resume like that the gentleman who was recently elected president of the RHA is all too aware of the balancing act that comes into play with a high level of involvement.

“It’s been my biggest challenge,” he admits.  “Texas A&M University teaches you that selfless service is necessary, but it also teaches you to balance your time between your academics, service, and social life.  It’s a balance I feel I won’t perfectly achieve, but it gets easier every semester.”

With not many semesters left to go, Jonathan is contemplating ways to use the leadership skills and education acquired at Texas A&M.  He’s considering  a master’s in Urban and Regional Sciences, maybe a law degree in either planning law or social justice.  Possibly a stint in the Peace Corps.

“Like every other student,” he says, “my plans change every day.  But one thing is certain:  I want to get into public service and help marginalized and disenfranchised citizens.  It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”  And something he believes his time in Aggieland, up to and including his sojourn in the L3C, has given him the knowledge and experience to do.  Knowledge and experience he feels are unequaled by other universities.

According to Jonathan, benefits like these—gained via A&M’s unique blend of inside-the-classroom and outside-the-classroom experiences—are the main reason high school students should consider applying to this University:  “Based on my own experience, I can confidently say Texas A&M University produces leaders of character.  The students here maintain a culture of ethics and excellence, pushing each other to excel, while holding each other accountable to the highest standards of character.  Texas A&M University is a place that transforms people into better human beings.”

For more information on the Living Learning Communities (including the L3C) housed in the Department of Residence Life, please visit http://reslife.tamu.edu/housing/llc/. 

For information on the Student Government Association and other student leadership/involvement opportunities at Texas A&M, go to http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/online/home.


Contributed by:
Kathy DiSanto, Communications Specialist
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs