Dear Miami University Class of 2016,

I would like to begin this letter by telling you first, congratulations. To paraphrase an amazing and legendary film character Elle Woods, you did it. I know you guys have been hearing sentimental messages from all sorts of sources over the past couple weeks, but as a current student, and rising senior, I couldn't help myself. I just want to lay down a few encouraging and challenging thoughts for you guys as you start your journeys of adulthood. First, be proud of yourself. You graduated from college, a great institution at that. You have that on your tool belt of life until you end up in the ground. Whether you "use" it, in the way most people think of it is up to you. If you're going to graduate school, walk in there and own the room, proud that you survived just like everyone else around you. If you're not going to graduate school, because ew, or you have a job lined up (whew), or you're taking a year off, whatever, be proud of the decisions you've made so far, but do not dwell on the past; you have some work to do. Overall, be happy in this moment, and take some time, even if it's five minutes to treat yourself.

Although, you should try not to look back too often, never forget. Never forget your time at the Red Brick Inn. Your four, or however many years, walking down slant walk to class, staying in King Library for hours on end, and e-mailing, and using GroupMe's to try to set up meetings for group projects. Don't forget the sporting events you went to, yelling at the opposing goalie to "sieve," or cheering on your friends as they crush the competition in an intramural game. If you're not as sports inclined, think of the concerts, plays, musicals, gallery showings and a cappella performances you attended (Remember, Glee Clubber here, I kinda like my arts), and remember the joy these events stuffed into your hearts, or at least the extra credit you got for going. Think about your campus job, drinking libations with your friends and newly acquired friends uptown. I could keep going, but you know what your memories are. Cherish them, because these hopefully are not the best years of your life, but hopefully they were some of the best so far. I'll wrap up this section with a simple phrase: "You are welcome back to Miami anytime."

Concluding this letter, I just have a few more personal thoughts for you. Take what you have learned here, whether from your friends, brothers and sisters, faculty, staff or your classes, and apply it to what you do in the future. Make strong and confident decisions. Make a space available to everyone, whether they fly the Miami flag or not, including those OU people. We don't like them right? That's a thing? Make the most of each moment, but never be afraid to take a timeout. Everyone needs a little relaxing time to get their mind straight. Even if you feel like you don't have time to do that, make the time. You'll thank me later. Remember that you are young. Most of you are 22 or 23 years old. You have your whole life ahead of you. You have time. Some people walked on Miami's campus knowing exactly what they wanted to do with their lives, continued on that path and are now pursuing their dream jobs. Most of you, certainly myself included, either thought we knew or had no clue what we wanted to do. We were lost in the sea of Miami Plan courses, capstones, thematic sequences and academic life in general. Remember that you can do anything. You can change your mind. If it doesn't feel right to you, make a change. I was Pre-Med freshman year, and when that didn't feel right, I found my place elsewhere. We must lose our sense of possibility, because if we lose everything, we at least have that. I am humbled, honored and privileged to know some of you, worked with some of you, and call some of you close friends. And for the graduates I did not have the fortune of meeting, good luck, have an air hug, and maybe I'll meet you in the future.

I wish you all the best. I'm shaking thinking about this time next year. I know what I will physically be doing, but mentally I'm not prepared. Here is to the late nights, spell checked, but not grammar checked papers, from Skipper's to Phan Shin, and everywhere in between, and to you. Now take this shot at life and go forward.

Love and Honor,

Ryan Anderson, Class of 2017