Dear Eckerd,

The first time I walked onto your campus, I was a high school senior who had less than six months 'til graduation and absolutely no idea where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. Then something great happened: I got the opportunity to further my softball career at Eckerd and after months of worrying about what I would do come fall, it seemed that I finally had my answer. I would go to Eckerd College.

The second time I walked onto your campus, I was a nervous 18-year-old freshman moving into her dorm room. That morning would be the last time I would see my parents until I had the chance to visit home or they had the chance to come visit me. The day was hectic. I walked all around campus in order to get all of the things I needed and by the end of the day, I was absolutely beat. And before I knew it, it was just me and my roommate at the time in our dorm room, not sure of what to do next.

At the same time, most of my friends were starting classes at their respective colleges as well, and one thing always came up in our conversations. They were absolutely terrified and extremely homesick. And that's when I realized something. Here I was, now three weeks into college and I was experiencing completely different emotions from them. I wasn't scared, and I wasn't having trouble making friends. Sure, I was homesick, but that was normal. I was having the time of my life already and it was only the third week of being there. I strongly believe it's all because of how close-knit Eckerd really is.

You are considered one of the top 40 colleges that change lives, and I agree with this 100 percent. In just three short years of being here, I understand what they mean about how attending Eckerd can change your life. You're exposed to a group of different individuals from many different places. The service learning opportunities for students are honestly some of the best.

Coming to Eckerd at 18, I personally believe that I was very close-minded about a lot of things. I had already made up my mind on ideas and current events going on in the world, but once I came to Eckerd, that all changed. Suddenly, I found myself interested in topics I never thought I'd ever be interested in. I was taking classes I never saw myself taking in a million years, and I truly believe that you had a lot to do with not only opening my mind...but my eyes to see what I truly care about.

Thank you, Eckerd College, for giving me the unique learning opportunities I couldn't have found anywhere else. Thank you for bringing me my two best friends in the entire world, who I would have never met if it wasn't for you. Thank you for the fun-filled weekends that are made for making memories. Thank you for the opportunity to better myself as a person.

And when the day comes that I walk across that stage with my diploma in hand, I know it will be one of the happiest yet hardest days in my life. Because it is then that I will have to leave this place behind, though I will never forget it.

Someday, years and years from now, when it's time for my children and later on, their children, to apply to colleges, I'll tell them about all of the great times that I had at Eckerd. I'll tell them about all of the friends I made, the professors I had, the weekends spent on campus, the fun days on kappa field, the kayaking trips at the waterfront, the lessons learned. I'll tell them all about you, the college that changes lives.

Sincerely,

A Grateful Triton