Over the last four years, I've sat in Knox lecture halls, Clemens classrooms, and Capen cubicles – in front of renowned professors, starving grad students, and computer screens – all for the purpose of learning things. And I've learned a lot; for one thing, a preposition is a bad choice to end a sentence with.
But the one subject that I've learned the most about, by far, is myself, and UB has helped me do that by catering to my personal needs.
I also owe a great deal of thanks to the amazing people who I've had the pleasure of knowing at UB. Each has helped guide me on my journey through not only school, but life as well.
I'd like to take this opportunity to mention a few of those people, the individual things that they've accomplished here at UB, and the unique things that they're going on to do. I am limited by time and space, so please don't be offended if I've missed you.
My best friend here, Person #89230059, will be a Ph.D. student at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute after he graduates. I couldn't be more proud of him, even though it will always sound funny to me when people eventually refer to him as Doctor.
This is a kid whose high-pitched young voice was the ultimate punchline to the goofy raps we used to make in middle school.
Person #64455164 wants to be a dentist, and he's going to Africa this summer to clean natives' teeth. That's pretty righteous, and I know he'll be great at it, but I think he's way too cool of a person for the medical way of life.
His real calling is as a professional beatboxer, dance choreographer, magician, trumpet player, and interior decorator, all at the same time. Don't doubt this; I resolve to make it happen.
My friend Person #52339794 isn't graduating this May because he fell a little behind after spending a semester in Spain. But that will allow him to continue a club he started at UB (Literature for Miniatures) that is dedicated to spending time in inner-city elementary schools, helping struggling students with their reading and writing skills.
It's a great club that I have recently been a part of, and I encourage everyone to join. After seeing my friend's passion for the club, I know he'll be a great teacher one day, if he can get a ride to school.
Those are just a few of the people I know who are going on to do special things after graduating, each different from the other. If I had more space, I'd give you a bunch of other stories, and I'm sure you and your friends are the same way – each having accomplished a great deal, each going on to do something unique.
Before I end my last column (and be done wasting your time forever), I have to mention a few others.
To this year's Spectrum staff: it's cliché but true when I say that joining the newspaper was the best thing I did while in college. It has been a pleasure working with all of you, and I hope to always stay in touch. More than any article or column I wrote or any late night or rough day in the office, I will remember the friends I made this year.
(To non-Spectrum people reading this: join the paper next year! Person #12285659 is going to be a fantastic editor in chief!)
I would shout out to the ladies, but I still can't get anyone's number, not even for this column.
Jumping outside of UB for a moment, I owe an enormous amount of thanks to my family. I owe everything I have to you; you've kept me on track by providing unbelievable support. I will make you proud.
Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. In addition to helping me learn more than I ever thought I could, you made me feel like I was truly somebody.
Email: spectrum-editorial@buffalo.edu
Note: The person numbers are all made up, for privacy's sake. The only real one is mine (the one in the byline).
