Four years ago, I arrived in State College filled with excitement. I can’t say I was ever nervous about college. Coming from a family where photos of Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lion graced the living room, I already had a pretty good idea of what I was getting myself into.
I pictured football games in Beaver Stadium, sunning myself on Old Main lawn, joining a sorority, and skipping happily down College Avenue with my friends in tow. Because after all, I was told that college would be “the best four years of my life.”
I came to Penn State with the idea that I would be having the best four years of my life. “Don’t graduate,” family friends would advise. “You’ll only want to come back.” So I believed that this was it—college had to be the ultimate high of life.
But as I am within days of my graduation and my blue cap and gown hangs in my closet, I have to say that Penn State will not be the best four years of my life.
It will only be the best four years of my life, so far.
The past four years of my life have been everything I could have asked for. I had the most quintessential college experience and I earned an irreplaceable degree. I met all my best friends, my future bridesmaids, and people who will be a part of my life for as long as I live (shout out Kappa Delta, Beta Theta). I was molded by so many great mentors, professors, and advisors. Penn State gave me the opportunities to go travel the world, work in big cities, and expose myself to as many experiences as I could have asked for.
I could never replace the memories I have standing in Beaver Stadium, surrounded by over 100,000 other Penn State fans. Or the nights I spent frolicking across Fairmont Avenue. Or being deliriously loopy in the Bryce Jordan Center during the 40th hour of THON. And I will never forget the memories I have of over 200 members of my sorority huddled in a single room to pledge our loyalty to our sisterhood (AOT, sista friends).
I will never forget the things that I learned, the experiences I’ve had, and the person that I became because of Penn State. Everything I am—from my work ethic, to my values, to my drive to succeed—is because of my time spent as a Penn State undergraduate.
Every day I spend in Happy Valley is a day that is better than the last. Even during the days that were not as happy as they could have been, my time here was still the best I ever had.
Penn State is a special type of place. The love and loyalty that comes from this university is incomparable to anything else. No other school, no other place, no other people will ever be able to duplicate what radiates so profoundly from a tiny, little bubble in the middle of Pennsylvania.
Four years ago, I did stand at childhood’s gate.
Four years ago, I was shapeless in the hands of fate.
But now, four years later, I have been molded by dear Old State.
Yes, I can say that Penn State has given me the best four years of my life so far. But more importantly, I can confidently say that Penn State gave me the foundation for so many better years to come.
Because of Penn State, I know my life will be filled with opportunities that I would have never had elsewise.
Because of Penn State, I will have people who fill my life with love and happiness for the rest of my years to come.
Because of Penn State I know I will be able to shout “We Are” anywhere in the world and someone will shout back, “Penn State.”
Because of Penn State, I am exactly the person I want to be and I have the life I’ve always wanted to have.
Looking back, I wouldn't change a single thing. Not one.
Penn State, thank you for the best four years of my life. But an even bigger thank you for preparing me for even better years to come.
We Are—then, now, forever—Penn State.
