 |
So here I am sitting in front of my computer and finally graduating…well not exactly graduating from Milligan, but graduating from my post as Editor in Chief of the Stampede.
What exactly does this mean and why do I care? You may ask.
Well, practically speaking, it means after this semester, don't ask me any questions regarding the newspaper because I won’t know.
On a more sentimental level, it means I’ll be passing the torch of leadership to our wonderful Managing Editor, Paige Wassel (from now on please direct all questions to her…just kidding).
Plus I get to take this time to relay some of the wisdom I’ve accumulated at Milligan College, via this traditional farewell column (please, no tears).
For those of you reading this who are faculty and staff, you may want to stop now, so I don’t give away any secrets that might seem corruptive to underclassmen. Oh well, I’m graduating in May so you can keep reading.
First, pass along to all incoming freshmen you may know and/or meet that they shouldn’t believe everything that they read in the Summer Sizzler.
When I came in as a freshman, I thought that the Sizzler was basically the second most accurate piece of literature every written, just under the Bible.
If you actually follow what it says, however, you’d come to college with only your clothing and a stack of classical literature books, and remain holed up in your dorm studying 24 hours a day (that is except for your trips to Buffalo Mountain and the drive-in theater).
Televisions, DVD players, couches, posters, etc. do actually fit in the dorms and you don’t have to study every moment to pass your classes.
Second, it is actually okay to skip class every now and then. (Insert gasp here) By missing one class to hang out with your friends, take a road trip or catch up on some much needed sleep, you will not automatically be given an “F” and be added to the faculty blacklist of “bad students.” As a freshman I actually thought this might happen.
Third, don’t take your professors for granted. Milligan has been blessed with an amazing group of faculty and staff.
They hold a wealth of knowledge about life, God and their own discipline area, so take advantage while you’re here.
Finally, though Milligan prepares you to take a step out into the “real world” the most important thing you gain from this institution is not book knowledge, but rather relationships.
So thanks to all my friends and all of you out there who have made the last three and a half years a blast and a huge life changing experience.
When I leave here I’ll remember the fun times working on theater productions, late nights in the Stampede lab, walking around the SUB in a fake pregnant belly, sticking gummy bears to my head in Hart with Emily and Hannah, having a slumber party in my room under tons of blankets with Lauren when our dorm heater broke, trips to Pals and chats in rough times with Adam, laying on the beach in Florida with all my Woo Woo sisters, and driving back from Nashville at three in the morning with Kristen after seeing Garth Brooks from second row seats given to us by his manager.
The list could go on, but the bottom line is I want to say I couldn’t have asked for better friends or a better place to spend these past few years. I love you all, so this column is for you.