Hugh Vandivier '91

It’s odd, I know. Someone my age talking about summer vacation. But, when you have to quit your job at the beginning of May, what else do you call it? “Why did I quit,” you may ask. Well, without going into too many details, sometimes staying at a failing company just for the regular paycheck is not worth it.

While the Siren song of the glorious sunny weather beckoned a lot this summer, I often found myself inside. I spent one afternoon sitting by the pool. One. Besides, sitting outside in the sun is just boring if you are not doing anything. I needed to work the network for job leads, and I picked up freelance writing projects.

I finally did land a job in early July with a media production company in Indianapolis. They are growing and did not have room for me quite yet, so I effectively had a month off before I started.

The timing could not have been better. I am a board member of Primary Colours, an Indianapolis nonprofit arts organization. We are currently gearing up for Art vs. Art, the most innovative, irreverent painting competition around. Check it out.

I have also been keeping up on my blog. As a class agent for Wabash, I use it to keep my classmates informed of what’s happening with Wabash and their fellow classmates.

The ultimate flex time also allowed me to check out some fast swimming, namely the senior and junior Nationals at the IU Natatorium. How fun is it seeing Dara Torres break her 7-year-old American record in the 50 meter freestyle (:24.53) at age 40 only 15 months after giving birth to her baby girl? Who does that? And she’s older than me! (I need to get back in the pool and swim more Masters.)

I started my new job this past Monday. So far, it has been a period of adjustment, just like all change entails—different clients, different coworkers, different procedures to learn.

When I am coaching swimmers or talking to Wabash students, I often try to parallel their challenges to what they can expect to face in the “outside world.” One of the biggest challenges we all face in life is change.

Wabash Swimming is in a state of transition. I learned an awful lot from Peter Casares and will miss him and his commitment and support of his swimmers, just as I learned a lot from Gail Pebworth and miss her strong, positive presence on the deck. I look forward to assisting John Weitz and learning from him as well.

This program—its swimmers, divers, and coaches—will indeed undergo a period of adjustment. But if we are all focused on our team and individual goals, we will handle any challenge deftly.

After all, one of the best traditions at Wabash is teaching men how to handle change.