University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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. fc ' 20 Prologue Photograph by Kelly Martigan

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THE ACT Or BALANCING Jhe University of Michigan experience was a unique combination of several elements. Academics. Social life. Sports. Work. , rganization and community involvement. Aspirations. Jhe challenge of the Michigan student was to find a harmonious balance of these elements. To explore a diversity of opportunities and find something to believe in. To find a center and revolve his or her other responsibilities around it. , o adjust to change and new challenges while remaining balanced. I) (a two students balanced themselves exactly the same. Each had his or her own unique agenda that dictated individual responses to new successes and failures. ach had a different way of staying focused and remaining balanced. C tudents were not content with a perfect balance, however. By taking risks and seeking new opportunities, they challenged their own stability, m doing so, their centers often changed as they grew both socially and intellectually. The Michigan experience prepared students for the future. c vt taught them to seek new experiences. It taught them to find stability but continually challenge themselves. It taught them to really consider what they believed in. J I tcutaJvt I (i ? n to (romance. FIND YOUD CENTEQ AND BALANCE Photograph 5y Joshua 6. 6ohn Prologue 19

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BALANCING PERSPECTIVES I ballet dancer must slowly and continually build strength in her ankles in order to balance. Jveaching beyond her own perceived limitations, she masters the law of balance and moves on to develop her own style and flair. In a similar manner, students steadily BHT HFHI HH strengthened their attitudes, beliefs, and values by incorporating the was no such thing as a typical UM student. countries, students joined together in a perspectives of others. ] here From 50 states and over 96 stimulating social, cultural, intellectual, and political environment. Inside and outside the classroom, students communicated, disagreed, fought, and understood. Jheir opinions changed as they I came to balance their perspective with their peers ' . Those who refused to seek an understanding of others ' viewpoints and backgrounds shut themselves off from the realities of the world and missed an opportunity to learn and grow, ' n the UM environment, however, it was nearly impossible not to listen and consider. The UM environment stimulated a respect for difference. Though there was still room for added harmony, the UM environment encouraged students to grow and bxxtcu M AN ENVIRONMENT OF DIVERSITY Photographs By Joshua . 6ohn Greg Emmanuel Prologue 21