REP-PP Spring 2016 Blog: Selfless Service

Blogger:  Mitch Monthie

Law School Year:  ​3L
Placement:  Open Society Foundations, Open Society Policy Center

Selfless Service

Selfless service is a value that speaks to the heart of the goodness we are all capable of, yet often struggle to manifest in the simplest of everyday interactions with one another. Indeed, I am quite familiar with this struggle. I know that I can do better in putting others’ needs before my own; I know that I can do more to enrich and uplift those around me rather than act in the short-sighted “me, me, me” mentality. But if altruism were easy, common, and widespread, Texas A&M would hardly have felt the need to provide opportunity after opportunity for our student body to give back without the inducement of quid pro quo, let alone emblazon the phrase selfless service in every corner of the Aggie Network.

The importance of A&M’s efforts to cultivate this value and persistently reiterate its significance has become especially meaningful to me after spending the semester here in our nation’s capital.

Take a stroll down the National Mall or visit any of the incredible museums and it’s clear that our country has been defined by those who act selflessly in moments of crisis. Whether it be the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who most certainly were committing treason and risking death in effort to establish what Lincoln proclaimed to be “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”; or whether it be our men and women in arms who have served valiantly in effort to defend our freedoms here at home and abroad.

Yet, as momentous as these occasions have been and continue to be, it’s important to understand that even the smallest acts of charity and kindness can be transformative and leave a lasting, positive impact.

When I first began this experience, I couldn’t tell how I was feeling. I was at once excited yet calm; eager, yet hesitant; unsettled, yet hopeful. How would things pan out for me in the capital city? Would I be valuable? Would I fit in? Would I even be happy? While I’m an optimist at heart and have always wanted to pursue a career in public policy, these questions quickly surfaced much like they do during any period of major change. Not only was I jumping into a completely new environment, I was jumping into Washington D.C.; and if you’re like me, someone who’s never had a lot of experience working outside where you’ve grown up, you might feel a little dumbfounded trying to imagine what it’s like to live and work here. Needless to say, I was nervous about a lot of things.

Despite this short period of anxiety, one thing was and continues to be certain: the school could not be more fortunate to have Professor Lisa A. Rich as an educator and mentor for its students.

Anyone who’s met Professor Rich knows that her enthusiasm is absolutely contagious, and that she adores her two cats Marvin and Gert, but what they may not know is just how dedicated and committed she is to her students. The truth is she goes far beyond the call of duty to better us as students and as people.

If you don’t call her when you have a problem with a legal issue, she’ll proceed to scold you when you finally tell her you do. If you’re feeling unsure of yourself, she’ll figure out why and correct you for why you shouldn’t. If you don’t have luggage to use for your trip to D.C., she’ll offer to let you use hers (but really, she buys you a brand new set and pretends it’s hers so as not to make you feel indebted to her). If you just need someone to talk to, Professor Rich is there.

She’s inspired me to think critically, believe in myself, take risks, and lead. Everything you could ask for and more from a teacher.

So when I think of selfless service, I think of Professor Rich and her commitment to us. We could all strive to be more like her.