A contagious smile. Sarcastic humor. Dad jokes. Nerf guns. A happy-go-lucky personality. An ear that listens. A heart that’s left open wide for anyone. These are but a few aspects that make up Mr. Ed Bonza.
Every student at every college has a handful of professors or advisers that they will remember for the rest of their lives — the ones that left the deepest impact. Students are shaped and molded by the way their professors and advisers interact with them on a daily basis, and many of them encourage students to pursue paths they could have never dreamed of pursuing without the sometimes forceful nudge of a caring professor or adviser.
Ed is that person for us. He has served as an adviser to Kennesaw State student media for 27 years and has worked with student media for 30 years. That time is now coming to a close as he retires March 29.
To call him a faculty adviser feels weird — not that the work he does for our organization isn’t vital or amazing — but that he feels like way more than just an adviser. Anyone could work as an adviser and do no more than what is absolutely required of them, but people like Ed show that it is worth it to truly connect with people and give as much of yourself as possible to others.
Ed is recognized by every single person he’s ever come into contact with. His true, one-of-a-kind personality is one that no one will ever forget. His infectious smile and booming laugh are enough to turn your day around. If you’ve ever walked by the corner office with the sliding glass windows on the first floor of the student center, you’ve probably heard him talking or have been hit by a rogue nerf bullet he was trying to shoot at a colleague.
Not enough words exist to express the extent to which he has made a difference in all of our lives. He has encouraged us countless times, mentored us, guided us, taught us, allowed us to fail and celebrated us when we succeed. He knows exactly how to cheer us up, whether it’s popping in to share almonds or buying us pizza for those late production nights. A day has not existed where he hasn’t taken the time stop and ask someone, “How are YOU?” in his loud, authentic voice.
Some of us have only been an editor for a semester and haven’t known Ed for very long, but he has single-handily left a massive impression on our adult lives.
Every time we walk to the newsroom, Ed warmly greets us, sitting at the “misinformation booth,” doing what he loves — interacting with students and attaching smiles to faces. After he retires, it won’t be the same when we walk by, not receiving that daily enthusiastic conversation. But, we will always be reminded of the most genuine and humble man in the world.
Ed has taught us all so much about what it means to be a part of an organization and to be proud of it. He teaches us how to laugh amongst stress and truly enjoy what we do and how we do it. Ed is what makes student media, student media.
No other adviser champions his students more than he does. Ed is a soul that truly cares more about others than himself, tries and constantly succeeds, at making anyone’s day better. He is the rare person who would never give a bad look to anyone — even a complete stranger.
No matter how stressed we get trying to put the paper together or edit stories, we can always count on Ed to come through and make our day a little brighter with his positive attitude and corny jokes. He knows exactly how to keep us on track while also making us feel calm during the storm.
Once you meet him, you feel like you’ve known him your entire college career. He has always been a source of great advice, not only about publishing but about life in general. Whether you’ve known him for three months or many years, Ed creates the time to make sure his students and staff feel known, and that is not a feeling that can be traded for anything.
Our university will be a bit dimmer without the light Ed shines every day when he steps foot onto campus, but we are thankful for the impact he’s left on our lives forever and that we have the opportunity to celebrate a true student media legend.
His knowledge and wisdom have helped all of student media immensely, and he will undoubtedly lead a successful life after KSU. Kennesaw State University is a better place simply from the legacy you have established.
Happy retirement, Ed!
