My time at UCA is drawing to a close after four-and-a-half years and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t ready to sprint across the stage during graduation. 

My college undergrad experience was longer than most students, but I am grateful for the extra semester that granted me just a little more time to soak in all UCA had to offer me. 

During my nine-semester journey, I participated in all walks of the college experience. I arrived on UCA’s campus with the confidence and swagger that only an 18-year-old kid can possess. 

I had a car, a little high school graduation money in my pocket and the most freedom I had ever known. The only logical next step was to join a fraternity, so that’s exactly what I did. 

Greek life gets a bad rap, and in most instances, it is rightfully deserved. But my experience being in a fraternity was, for lack of a better word, awesome. I truly loved being a part of a brotherhood and I embraced the experience wholeheartedly. 

I made lifelong friends who will be in my wedding, created memories that make me laugh so hard my stomach hurts and most importantly, I can put up a tailgate tent with my eyes closed. 

I look back on my time as a member and I have no regrets, I am grateful. 

Remembering myself as a freshman in college, I recall I had a lot on my mind. However, none of it had to do with choosing a major that would dictate my career path. Thankfully, I was surrounded by friends who were much more forward-thinking than I was at the time, and one suggested enrolling in an introduction to public relations course. Seeing as I was easily influenced and had no better ideas of my own, I went for it. 

Four years later I am preparing to pitch my PR capstone project — a campaign plan for a nonprofit organization. Needless to say, the introduction to PR class ended up working out. I am grateful to Keli Jacobi for guiding me along the way. 

I needed a minor to go along with my newfound major, and it would be safe to assume my 18-year-old self hadn’t put much thought into that yet either. 

“I like to write.” Those are the brilliant words I uttered to my adviser when she asked what minor I would be interested in. She placed me in journalism courses and I had the pleasure of being introduced to The Echo. The first story I wrote covered a UCA women’s basketball game. It contained nearly 1,200 words because I included the whole play-by-play of the game in the article. 

Now, you are reading the last article I will ever write for The Echo. I am grateful to David Keith for teaching me the power of the pen, and of course, how to trim an article.

At some point along the way I ran out of high school graduation money and I got my first college job. I worked at a furniture store and it was a less-than-desirable experience. My second college job, however, was much better.

I applied for the student-worker position under the director of media relations at UCA, Fredricka Sharkey. I was beyond nervous about my interview. I got my hair cut, had my suit dry-cleaned and watched dozens of interview preparation tutorials. I was anxiously waiting in a conference room in Wingo Hall when Sharkey greeted me. 

My nerves faded away within seconds. She talked to me like she had known me my whole life and made me feel welcome. She offered me the job two days later and I worked with her my final two semesters at UCA. 

I am grateful to Fredricka Sharkey for taking a chance on me, showing me the ropes and giving me a glimpse into a possible career path. 

The only advice I have is to embrace the totality of your college experience and be grateful for all that comes your way. It’s not about where you begin, but where you finish, that truly defines your character.