Fight on State!

Every time I return to my alma mater, I'm struck but how blessed I was to be a part of the Penn State tradition.

The word tradition has a very broad sense and this is true when I think about my time and my experiences as an undergraduate. The Penn State Experience, to me, is more than just a degree or an educational endeavor. As I was driving the familiar route along 322 towards Happy Valley, I was really struck by the impact that the experience had on me and my life. For me, the Penn State Experience is a culmination of the campus, the relationships I've developed as a result of my time there, the town of State College, the football games, the list is endless. It truly is a special place and without it being a part of my life, I certainly wouldn't be the same.

I'm amazed at the amount of emotion that place still stirs up within me when I return, even 5 years later. As I walked down College Avenue, I was greeted by some old, great friends that I randomly ran into. While walking into the stadium, I saw another guy that look familiar to me. He recognized me as well although we couldn't figure out how we knew each other but we exchanged greetings regardless. In addition to old friends, I randomly ran into new ones as well, people I work with – it was crazy. People were a big part of my Penn State experience. Even though I don't keep in touch with many of them, they will always be a part of my life and they will always have my utmost respect for being the amazing people that they are.

It's funny because when I look back on college, I fail to remember the difficult times and the struggles – only the good things. That's how you know it was a good experience. College, for me, wasn't about gaining technical knowledge or even a piece of paper that tells me I'm smart. It was about building relationships and even more importantly, discovering myself.

Penn State is a huge part of me and always will be. Not because I have a degree there, or I have a lion sticker on my car; no, it's because it was a place that gave me the freedom to be me and to lay the groundwork for who I am to become. It gave me memories and experiences that will last a lifetime and I can look back on with fondness and good emotions.

I know Penn State will be there for many years to come and many more people will be part of the great tradition. I'm excited to have the privilege to continue that tradition. Fight on State!