Summer Staff Network With Alumna

As the son of two Thunderbird alumni, my expectations for camp were set pretty high.  The stories of lessons learned, and friendships made were at the forefront of my mind when I decided to be a counselor for the summer of 2016.  As all of you are aware, any summer spent at camp is memorable, but I left for school that August feeling as if I knew what the Thunderbird experience truly embodies — I was wrong.  There’s much more and the last half-year or so opened my eyes to other avenues through which a Thunderbird connection encourages personal development.

In a brief conversation with Kaye Carraway, I expressed interest in spending a summer in D.C. and her mind immediately jumped to a Thunderbird alumna working in the Capital.  Kaye connected me to Brian Boda and during the next few weeks he was more than willing to assist me in crafting my resume and coaching me through the D.C. internship process.

After successfully finding my way to the District I was determined to find Brian and thank him in person for all that he had done.  We met for coffee early one morning, not unlike meeting co-counselors at the boat docks for an early ski run. While Brian accepted my gratitude, he had a bigger concern and posed the question, “What can I do to help you get the most out of this summer?”  That took me by surprise. Helping a young college kid form a resume is one thing but going out of your way to welcome that young, aspiring professional to a new place without asking anything in return speaks volumes to the loyalty and kinship between the Thunderbird network.

Brian introduced me to colleagues and friends of his, opening up his home and hosting me for a Fourth of July celebration filled with great southern food and fellow Carolinians.  He also invited me to his office, offering an opportunity to engage a little more earnestly in a professional manner and discuss important career objectives of my own. In short, the selflessness Brian displayed in hopes of making my experience better is a testament to his own character and that of Thunderbird alumni everywhere.  I’m blessed to call Brian a friend and, in the future, I hope I’m able to give back to our community in a similar way.

Written by Buddy Anderson following Summer, 2018

Buddy receives his Gold Bandana

Buddy Anderson and Brian Boda