Many people have asked me why I went to Purdue and became a Boilermaker.
Besides the fact my last name rhymes with Purdue and my childhood buddy Will Yen's dad was an alumni there and promoted it to me profusely, I attended this science and technology camp in highschool hosted by ARCO and the guest speaker was Astronaut Eugene Cernan from Apollo 17, a Purdue alumni along with Neil Armstrong.
He said this statement that was forever imprinted in my young heart and as a result would alter my university choice:
"We just didn’t leave Earth physically, but spiritually as well. I’ve seen a small portion of God’s creation. I say this in a spiritual, not religious, sense. To look at Earth in all its splendor and beauty, you can’t help but come to the conclusion that it can’t all be an accident. So, you return to Earth a changed man."
"During the three-day voyage you see the beauty and purpose of Earth and of space and time. The Earth is no accident. I wish everyone on Earth could stand on the Moon for twenty minutes, to see how the Earth looks from there. If everyone had that perspective, the world today would be a different place."
At that moment, young Jackie was inspired by Eugene to live a great life, perhaps not as an astronaut, but still live one of accomplishment where I've given my all to an almost impossible feat, and allow God to speak to me during the greatest moment of my life, and in the beauty and awe-inspiring moment, to inspire others to greatness as well.
This was a big realization for a 17 year old, many years later, perhaps I am at the Cernan moment now, about to embark on a spiritual journey as well as a physical one that will leave me a changed woman.
This past weekend (August 25, 2012), the world mourns the death of another great Boilermaker and Astronaut Neil Armstrong. Rest in Peace Neil.
Proud to be a Boilermaker!
