by Breanna Adamick

Dear Greensboro College,

I am writing this because in a few very short weeks, I will be walking across the bricks on the front campus to shake the president’s hand and receive my diploma. This marks almost an entire four years spent on this campus, picnicking on the front lawn, studying in the stacks, reclining on the couch in Cowan 206 and overall collecting memories I will enjoy reflecting on in the years to come.

That being said, not everything was so rosy and amazing, as one could expect. There are challenges that come with a new school, adjusting to the changes and seeing how you will fit in being large parts of those challenges. And of course, there will always be frustration—with yourself, your assignments, the people around you and the school itself—but there are almost always redeeming factors of any tough situation. Yes, the rose-colored glasses I saw GC through in my first and second year have been off for a while now, but I can still appreciate this school through clear lenses.

Greensboro College became a second home of mine fairly rapidly after beginning attendance of the school, even as a commuter student. In my first year, as I was still transitioning into the school, in the peak of COVID-19 no less, what I most loved was the natural beauty of the campus and the peaceful solitude I could experience by merely sitting on the front lawn under a tree as I studied. I still love that aspect, and the kind of peace a small college affords, but when that was my favorite thing about GC, I had not yet had some of my best experiences or met some of my favorite people. Now, fast forward three years, and I would have to say that the moments and experiences I have loved the most tend to revolve around the people I have met here.

Beginning with professors, I came to notice relatively quickly how fortunate we GC students are to be able to learn from such intelligent and devoted instructors. Everyone cares and tries their best to help you succeed, and you do not find that just anywhere. A feeling I never thought I would experience is the very specific longing to take a class again, even though I just took and passed it. Classes like nutrition and biomechanics with Professor Gold, exercise physiology with Dr. Carter, darkroom photography with Professor Sondberg, forensics with Professor Thomas, creative writing with Dr. Johns and anatomy and physiology with retired GC professor Dr. Bond.

Professors play one of the biggest roles in a students’ college experience—certainly the biggest where knowledge is concerned—and I have benefitted incredibly from the expertise with which these professors in particular, as well as some unnamed, have taught their classes. Although this small gesture cannot properly measure up to the gratitude I feel, I must simply say a big thank you to all the professors who have taught me so well while at GC.

In mentioning the highly important roles professors play in a student’s life, it would be wrong to leave out the impact an advisor can have on one’s academic experience. A good advisor helps you register for the appropriate classes on time and is sure to guide you, to some extent, through your college years. A great advisor, like mine, goes above and beyond—not only ensuring you take the right classes, but being so prepared and knowledgeable that there is no need whatsoever for stress regarding your schedule, registration or college plan. My advisor has been Mrs. Martha Bunch, and it would be utterly pointless to attempt to convince me that I could find a better advisor anywhere.

To even begin recalling all of the other wonderful people and friends I have met here, it only makes sense to start with The Collegian. My time with The Collegian has been invaluable—from when I took a chance and joined on a whim back in my first year, to now three years later where I can see quite clearly the remarkable work my fellow staff members and I have accomplished. As a school that lacks a thorough record of the 186 years since its founding, thanks to the notorious Main Building fires, I have recognized The Collegian for the highly important historical recording that it is. Continuing to keep alive a school newspaper that has served its college for over 100 years has been a pleasure and an honor, and I hope that all the current Collegian staff members, as well as those to come, recognize and are proud of the important service we are doing for Greensboro College in documenting its history.

With The Collegian, I have furthered my writing skills exponentially, but also developed and improved editing, public speaking and leadership skills, which I know will serve me well throughout my life. Additionally, I have been fortunate enough to meet some of my favorite people while being on the staff of The Collegian. It is astounding to say, with complete honesty, that almost every friend who I have had the joy of knowing has in some way come from The Collegian. I know I will continue to treasure the friendships I have here at GC, and those that still flourish outside of the campus—they have made my time in college happier than I could have ever imagined.

Another of my favorite ongoing experiences has been discovering what unique subjects or activities most connect the students here at Greensboro College—things such as the family of groundhogs we house, which seem to have become the college’s unofficial mascot, not to mention The Collegian’s official mascot, simply due to student adoration. Then there are events like Late Night and Bingo, the latter of which, especially, tends to coax out a high volume of students. Even something such as the infamous “reply all” email chain on April 4—a spontaneous event that struck me as one of the times GC students have seemed most connected and united in one cause. Moments such as those that weave an even closer community on campus are precious, and I will remember them fondly.

I will miss a great deal from my time here, but I will especially miss just being a student. Although my plan involves another year or so of education after GC, my time as a student is winding down and it has made me even more acutely aware of how much I have enjoyed higher education. Even with the inevitable challenges in the life of a student, and all of the work in and outside of the classroom, I will dearly miss being a student. Greensboro College, The Collegian and the amazing people I have met during my time here will forever have my gratitude. I will remember these past four years with pride.