The Staff Keeps Growing!

My name is Raegan and I’m a new Admission Counselor here at Miami University. I moved to Oxford after living out my dream of going to Alaska. After four exciting years in the Last Frontier, it was time to return home. I’m originally from Ohio and have always had great respect for Miami. I have a background in both college admissions and television news. This job is a natural fit for many reasons, but namely because my college search process was so positive. It was a process that inundated my family for more than a year. Weekends & vacations were spent visiting colleges, taking tours and meeting with academic department heads. I was also fortunate enough to do several overnight visits. It’s a daunting process, but also a fun process if you allow it to be. Here at Miami, I am the territory manager for Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. I look forward to meeting students from those regions during my upcoming travel.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit us here in Oxford, rest assured that this is a great, vibrant community where something is always going on. I’ve lived in Oxford for a month now and it already feels like home! When I’m not at work, you’ll most likely find me taking pictures, running or hiking with my golden retriever Ezra on one of the many trails around campus. There are miles and miles of nature trails surrounding the campus—Four Mile Creek is a personal favorite, especially at sunset. I’m also a big fan of both our Farmer’s Markets here in town—the vendors are some of the nicest people on the planet. Seriously.

Please know that you can always contact me if you have questions about admissions or you just need some advice about finding a college that’s a good fit (raegan.butler@muohio.edu) . You hear counselors say that all the time, but it really does matter. The best college in the world can also be the worst if it’s not where you are suppose to be. Have a little faith. Ask questions. Learn to enjoy life’s process as well as its rewards.

Dalai Lama at Miami

Yesterday, Miami University was graced with the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. While he interacted with students, faculty, staff, and trustees in various settings, his lecture on "Ethics in the Modern World" was delivered to a sold out crowd in Miami's Millett Hall and sold out remote viewing locations, totaling close to 12,000 viewers.

His messages were powerful, to say the least. But what I was most anxious to share with you was his reflection on the 20th Century, and his hope for the 21st Century. He indicated that the former was a century that will be remembered by bloodshed, concentrating on the violent "solutions" to human differences that were employed in this time. But he looked forward, too. He charged us, the younger generation, to ensure that the next century is one of dialogue. He stressed that we have ninety more years to make this century into what it will be remembered for. Dialogue, he stressed, is how we can take difference of opinion, policy, religious affiliations, and come to a productive understanding that is mutually beneficial.

As he sat with his shoes off and his legs curled under him, he talked about the root of happiness and internal peace. Genuine affection, both showing and receiving, can allow us to flourish as humans. He called on the audience to remember how we feel when we are treated with affection and love, and how we feel when we are treated with mistrust and fear. Without ever using the term "karma," he was clear in his message that we receive what we put out in the universe.

Miami has made a commitment to provide a global education, primarily achieved through opportunities like Study Abroad. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Miami is indicative of the ways in which the Miami education provides a global experience right here in Oxford, Ohio. To learn more about the Dalai Lama's visit and the many opportunities for students to interact with him, visit www.muohio.edu/dalai-lama.

News Flash for Business Students!

Attention potential Miami Farmer School of Business students!!! The Farmer School of Business just announced that they will be admitting some applicants directly into the program. Normally, we require all incoming business students to complete seven pre-major courses. So, if you fall into either one of these categories:

• Admitted to Miami and selected Business as the academic division
• ACT of 29 or higher or an SAT (CR + M) of 1290 or higher AND
  GPA of 3.70 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) OR top 10% of their class

OR

• Admitted to Miami and selected Business as the academic division
• Admitted to Miami’s honors program

You will be admitted directly into Miami's nationally recognized Farmer School of Business! To learn more about being a business student at Miami, go to www.muohio.edu/fsb. And as always, you can direct any questions to your admission counselor at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor.