Wow, Dr. Joy...

...your first gift made a MYTHICAL impact!

With Griffon-sized gratitude

Dr. Joy,

Your generous first-time gift joins you with a network of MythosU donors, students, faculty, alums, and friends across the globe. Welcome to the Griffon's Nest!

I want to extend my warmest gratitude. Your support is deeply appreciated and plays a vital role in advancing our mission to shape the future of learning, research, and discovery.

Your contribution will directly impact Music. We are committed to ensuring your investment makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the broader community.

Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to keeping you informed about the impact of your generosity.

Thank you once again for your commitment to Mythos University.

Dr. Kelly Lucas
President

There's a first time for everything...

A student's first auditorium lecture

Anh Nguyen, Class of 2027

"My first Bio lecture had nearly 300 students. The room was a sea of unfamiliar faces, the professor's words echoing like a foreign language. I clutched my notebook, the crisp pages a stark contrast to the jumble of thoughts in my head.

Then, a girl with bright pink hair leaned over, pointed to a diagram on the screen, and whispered, "That's the Krebs cycle, trust me, you'll get it."

At that moment, the enormity of university life shifted. It wasn't just lectures and textbooks... it was shared confusion, whispered help, and the quiet promise of belonging. It was the start of a series of 'firsts' that would shape my entire university experience, from my first roommate to the first time presenting my research."

A professor's first class

Elara Vonce, PhD

"Walking into that seminar room on my first day, I was a ball of nerves. New students, a new environment – it's a big moment! I've spent years researching the Ishtar Vase, but explaining it to a room of first-year college students is an entirely different challenge.

My first surprise was the sheer enthusiasm. Hands shot up, questions poured out with genuine curiosity. After class, a student practically bounced up to me with excitement. She referred to a clay analysis I mentioned and wanted to talk more about her research into similar samples from the same region. That spark of genuine interest, the leap from lecture to personal exploration—it cemented why I chose to teach.

This is a place where 'firsts' happen all the time. First discoveries, first insights, first steps on a path of knowledge. It's an incredible feeling to be part of."

An alum's first visit back to campus

Shane Haas, '96

"Honestly, I'd braced myself for awkward small talk and questionable buffet food at my first college reunion. Like most of my classmates, I hadn't been on campus in 10 years. What I didn't expect from my first trip back was a full-on nostalgia assault. The moment I stepped under the Griffon's Wings arch, it was like someone hit rewind. Even the air smelled faintly of the existential dread of finals week.

The student union had a new paint job, but the same chaotic energy. The inevitable trek past the old lecture halls had ghosts of late-night study sessions whispering equations in my ear. That weird, wonderful blend of intellectual curiosity and barely-contained chaos that is uniquely university life was surprisingly comforting. Like finding your favorite worn-out sweater.

I realized that, well beyond the academic knowledge I gained, my time here gave me critical thinking skills, problem-solving approaches, even the way I engage with the world. Not to mention lifelong friends and a network of people to connect with in every corner of my life. That first visit back reminded me that MythosU isn't just a place, it's a part of me that I take everywhere I go."

"Witnessing the positive change we've created together with Mythos University—whether it's through scholarships, research breakthroughs, or community outreach—reinforces the power of philanthropic partnership. It's not just my contribution, it's our shared commitment to making a lasting difference."

Samuel Jonah, Class of 1979