Dear University of Dayton,

I cannot put into words the gratitude I feel towards you. You changed my life for the better. I am not going to lie, our relationship got off to a rocky start but it improved each and every year. I did not think I could possibly love a place more, but you proved that it only got better with time.

I came to you as an eighteen-year-old girl, unsure where her place was at this school and in this world. I was naïve and sheltered. Now, I am leaving you as a twenty-two-year-old young woman. You helped me grow, see my potential and step outside of my comfort zone. I know who I am and have direction in my life. I am forever grateful for those lessons.

I had a little bit of fun on our journey together, too. Thank you for forever changing the meaning of Natty Light, Cousin Vinny’s, hangovers, day drinks, “the ghetto,” Daytona, community, front porches, Tim’s/ walls, riots, etc. Those are just a few of the things that will always remind me of you and our four years together.

I am so lucky to be filled with such sadness as our time together ends this week. It truly speaks volumes about how deeply I love this place and the people I have met along the way. The spirit on this campus and the infectious happiness all around is something I have never felt anywhere else. I think UD gives Disneyland a run for its money for “the happiest place on Earth.”

I think the reason I am most sad to leave you is because I have grown so comfortable with this place as my home. Come Sunday, this place will no longer be my home; UD will be my memories and experiences, frozen in time from 2013-2017. The school will never be the same, no matter how many times I visit. I won’t see familiar faces walking around, new houses and buildings will go up in places they didn’t exist before and the professors I knew and loved will gradually retire or move on to another destination.

Although the four years were not always easy, being at UD made it worthwhile. The University of Dayton will forever have a piece of my heart, even if I am no longer living in Ohio. Thank you for the greatest four years of my life. I could not imagine my life or college experience at any other place. Go Flyers!

A soon-to-be alumna,

Grace