The University of Dayton is a very special place. Ask anyone you know that has graduated, is a student, or has some connection to UD and they will all tell you how amazing it is. From the moment anyone steps on campus, they can feel this incredible feeling of comfort, and yes, community. While there is a seemingly infinite list of reasons why UD is so great, my article will touch on just some of the ones that I have recognized in my time here.

The first thing that makes Dayton such an amazing place to go to college is the size. With roughly 8,000 undergraduate students, Dayton is in my opinion a perfect size. It's not a huge state school with 60,000 students where your professors never even learn your name, and it is also not a super small school where you know every single person and their entire life story. We may not have as many students as that big school in Columbus, but according to the Princeton Review, Dayton is ranked #2 in the nation for most beer consumed, proof that size doesn't matter. There has never been a time where I have walked to class and not seen someone that I know, and even in my largest lecture class of 120 people my professor knew everyone's name. Having a school where you feel important and not like you're just a number in some enrollment database is something that makes UD feel like home.

Another thing that really contributes to how great this university is, is the people. From the students, to the professors, to the staff everyone is happy to be here and wants to make UD better each and every day. Dayton is consistently ranked in the top 5 of the Princeton Review for having the happiest students, this past year we were ranked #3, but ask any UD student and they'll say we are #1. Everyone here is incredibly friendly, within a few minutes someone who was previously a stranger could be a new friend.

The last thing that makes Dayton the way it is, is the culture. I have never been to a place where people hold doors for each other regardless of if it is convenient for them or not. Dayton is also very inclusive, anyone can go to any clubs, try out for sports, or come to parties on the weekend. The typical "who do you know here?" question is rarely uttered around here. There are so many things to do on campus and there are always people who are willing to teach you new activities, and treat you like you belong.

I could go on and on about all of the things that make Dayton so amazing, but in order to truly understand it, you have to come experience it for yourself.