I am graduating in a few days, and I still do not believe it. Florida A&M has been everything to me for these nine semesters. It has been home, a vacation, detention, recess, heaven and hell to me. I love it with all of my heart.
I originally came here just to get an MBA and play baseball, but I will be graduating without having done either of the two.
However, I have been blessed with amazing insight and a strong foundation of experiences.
When I joined the Student Government Association in fall 2008 as a freshman senator, I did not even know where the senate chambers were. I just wanted to be involved. But it did not take long to figure out where I wanted to go from there.
I quickly realized that my calling was to be junior class president. Before I knew it, I was running for student body vice president with one of my best friends. It is funny how things work out sometimes. You can learn a lot outside of the classroom.
Pledging two fraternities at FAMU has been crazy. It is really easy to get caught up in stereotypes and try to fit yourself into different molds, especially at this university. But honestly, it is not about all of that. Having these experiences has magnified a truth that I had always known, which is to simply be you.
I have had classes in the old Tucker Hall and Gore Education Complex and voted for President Barack Obama twice. I remember the old café and hoping FAMU would put a Chick-fil-A in the Orange Room when it reopened. I remember basketball games in Jake Gaither Gymnasium. I remember Halloween nights in Sampson and Young halls when we thought ghosts lived inside. I remember DJ KD and Ms. Inge.
FAMU is a marvelous place. Trust me, it is something like no other. Because of FAMU, I have been to Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., West Palm Beach, Cincinnati, Chicago, Tampa, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and even Santiago, Chile. And a couple of wild spring breaks in Panama City and Miami, too.
“Earthquake” and “Before I Let You Go” are not just songs to me anymore. They are movements. Wednesdays are meant for fried chicken, and orange and green are no longer tacky together. I have met some of my best friends for life and a boatload of other really inspiring people here.
Will I still get an MBA? Maybe; maybe not. And as far as my baseball career, I suppose I am all washed up by now.
I have had a lot of fun and learned so much that I do not want it to end, but if I had to do it again, I would probably mess it up. Everything has happened for a great reason, and I would not change a second of it.
FAMU, I gave you my all, and you gave it right back to me. Value the journey and not just the destination. Be yourself. I promise you are the best in the world at it. Much love.