Goodbye, KSU

When I decided to go to Kennesaw State University, I did so reluctantly.

My dream school was the University of Tennessee, but being an out-of-state student essentially ended my hopes of being a Vol. After two years at a small school in Watkinsville, Georgia, I toyed with the idea of transferring to nearby Athens and becoming a Bulldog, but that didn’t pan out either.

After some persuasion from my parents, I landed at KSU. I never took a tour. After spending my entire life 20 minutes away in Roswell, I had never even been to the city of Kennesaw. My expectations for KSU were immensely low.

I figured KSU was the place people came for their third go-around in college, or for students who needed to stay closer to home. After I applied and received my acceptance, I became an Owl.

Once I stumbled onto campus, I quickly realized my hasty decision to go to KSU was great one. In my two years here, I have exploited every opportunity granted by the University, and I couldn’t be more prepared to leave the place which awarded me so many openings.

Knowing I wanted to be a sports writer, I immediately got involved with The Sentinel. In less than a year, I became sports editor. I’ve been fortunate to cover Division I sports for the last two years, including following the first football team in school history through its journey from its first practice to its first game.

I joined Owl Radio and co-hosted a sports talk radio show. I took a sports broadcasting and sports reporting class where I got to meet dozens of professionals in the field.

I furthered my experienced when I completed an internship with the Marietta Daily Journal where I essentially became a full-time member of a daily newspaper’s sports department.

Kennesaw State offers everything you need to better yourself, but it is up to you to take advantage of it.

If I could offer any bit of advice for a college student who hasn’t yet found what it is he or she wants to do, I’d suggest these four things.

1. Find something you are passionate about.

2. Join a campus organization with likeminded people who have the same passion.

3. Get an internship doing what it is you want to make a career out of.

4. Study abroad. Learning how to function in a foreign country is eye-opening and humbling.

My college experience was highlighted by my study abroad trip to Urbino, Italy in the summer of 2014 which was through James Madison University. Going abroad was hands-down the best decision I ever made in my life. I’m serious—do it. You will not regret it.

In my short time at KSU, it has grown from a place that wasn’t on any high school student’s list to being a top choice. I’m grateful I was able to be a small part of this University’s history.

I’ve written hundreds of articles for The Sentinel and in my last one I’d like to offer a few thanks.

Thank you KSU student media for becoming my second family. Thank you to all of my mentors, advisors and teachers who have held me accountable and pushed me to be better every day. Thank you Ed Bonza for your guidance (and occasional free pizza). Thank you to the entire Kennesaw State athletics department and the countless players and coaches that allowed me to stick a recorder in your face and ask dumb questions. I really hope you guys don’t hate me. I swear I was just trying to figure out this whole journalism thing.

Finally, thanks to my family who has supported me every step of the way through my life. I hope I’m not screwing up too much.

Goodbye, KSU.

Go Owls.