In the land of the Bobcats...

As I drove up the “one road in, one road out” entrance to QU on this first day of my last year of college, my mind was filled with memories. I remembered the first time I saw this exquisite campus; I remembered the first time I fell in love here; I remembered the hundreds of tears shed, hours spent in the library and of course the classes I’ve taken. But most of all I realized something essential today—this is and will forever be my second home. Quinnipiac University, the land of the bobcats, is where I learned to be me—an independent, 20-something who refuses to let ANYTHING stop her, and for that I will forever be in her debt.

I also noted, and not for the first time, the date below the green sign at the corner of Mount Carmel Ave and New Road. It reads “Quinnipiac University founded 1929.” 1929—a year that brings to mind many things. Firstly, I remembered that 1929 was the year of black Tuesday and the “greatest” stock market crash in history. I also remembered that 1929 was the end of an era of frivolity and prosperity. And finally I remembered that 1929 marked the 10 **check fact** year anniversary of a woman’s right to vote. Despite the fact that women did not walk these hallowed halls and well groomed lawns until at least thirty years later **check fact** I still feel that it is significant that this University opened in that year. Quinnipiac, formerly known as the TKTKTK, saw potential in a time when many could only think of despair and misfortune, and that gives me hope.

So many things are different here, and yet everything always remains the same. As I sit in the newly upgraded cafeteria, I think about how different it is from four years ago, and yet the same friendly (and sometimes unfriendly) cashiers ring us out; Java John, although no longer serving Java, is still serving up corny jokes and catchy phrases with every meal; Freshman still have that “deer in the headlights look” on their first day and ultimately students will continue to walk these halls long after I am married and ultimately send my children, and hopefully grandchildren, off to college. Everything changes and yet everything is the same. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

So in this year of change, I write to embrace and share my feelings and to gain more experience because as someone once said—in not as many words—life as a journey is constantly a learning experience. So learn, embrace and change—it isn’t as scary as it seems.