By Xypher Pino

I was an undecided but determined senior in Spring of 2022, deciding which school to attend for the next four years – should I go to the expensive, extravagant High Point University or UNCG, where my sister attended? There were decisions to be made, pressure all around – after all, this could make or break the next chapter of my life. When Greensboro College came into the picture, I felt a calling; I immediately knew the decision that needed to be made.

“Here at GC, you are more than just a number – you actually matter,” said Dr. Henry Kuo, former religion professor and director of the honors program, when I asked him a couple of years back why someone should attend GC.

I went to a fairly large high school with about 2,500 students. During my high school career, I never really did anything besides attaining good grades in classes. I was a shy and introverted person then, who found it hard to participate in clubs or certain groups considering how huge our school was. I always kept to myself and stuck to what was most familiar.

Coming into college, I knew I needed to have a change in mindset. I was confident that I was capable of doing a lot more, and there was still so much to learn about myself; I knew I would not develop and grow into a person that I am proud of unless I stepped out of my comfort zone. Now was the perfect time to explore, and attending Greensboro College seemed to be the best position that I could put myself in to maximize my potential.

As I prepare to walk across the stage, I sit and reflect on my time here on campus – without a doubt, becoming part of the Pride has been the best decision of my life.

I entered GC with high expectations, and still I am coming out with way more than expected. Everything I wanted to accomplish during college, I have done and more – I am leaving college as a completely new individual which I certainly did not expect. I knew, as I entered this part of my life, that I would grow in many ways, but I did not expect that Greensboro College is where I would learn what it means to love and to be loved.

Opportunities were everywhere from the very moment I entered GC. During my first semester, Dr. Wayne Johns kept pushing me to attend a Collegian meeting, but I would always come up with an excuse to not go. One time, after our honors class, he asked if I was busy in the next hour or so, and I told him no – I was just going to grab lunch and start studying. He was thrilled with the news. “Perfect, then you should come with me to the Collegian meeting happening in a couple of minutes,” he said. I remember how annoyed I was that he finally got me to go to a meeting, but looking back, this was the catalyst that started my involvement on campus; the moment where my life changed for the better.

My work with The Collegian gave my voice a platform to start pursuing things outside of my comfort zone. I had minimal experience in journalism prior to joining Collegian, nor did I know how to work on a website, but I was given the opportunity to freely develop my skills and learn new things without feeling pressure. This instilled unwavering confidence within me and allowed me to become even more comfortable with novel experiences, resulting in doors opening to many more opportunities – one of which led to my work with Dr. Robert Brewer.

From winning the NC Hunger Challenge in back-to-back years and bringing in $20,000 for food relief efforts on campus to establishing a leadership program for students interested in an active civic life – Dr. Brewer and I accomplished many great things on campus. I am grateful that we have been able to make such a strong impact on the community together, and that he served as my mentor as I learned more about myself. He is more than just a teacher, though – he has been an inspiration in my life and a true role model, and I am so glad that GC brought us closer together.

I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to him for teaching me the real meaning of service, what it is actually like to dedicate time and effort to those in need; for showing me unconditional support, even in the days that I flooded him with work or constantly annoyed him – he showed me genuine care and proved to me that I am a person worth loving. I am glad that we were able to accomplish so many great things together, but more importantly, I am super grateful that I was able to find a real friend, a brother, in Dr. Brewer.

I am so happy that I made the most out of my time here at GC. There are things that I wish I tried, or certain things I wish had panned out differently, but regardless, I am walking out of this place with no regrets. It is a bittersweet feeling to leave such a wonderful place that has played such a huge role in crafting the person I am today, but some things must come to an end. I will miss being late to Dr. Wayne Harrison’s classes and struggling to solve those seemingly impossible Physics problems. I will miss the late-night study sessions with my friends as we try to cram for our biology exams. The Collegian meetings, doing work at the Pride Pantry Headquarters, planning the next Civic Leadership Program event – the orderly chaos of everyday college life that has become habits, a normal part of everyday life, I will miss so much.

All the stairs I had to go up and down, the times where my Pride Card for some reason just would not work, the random fire alarms, the disgusting smell behind the dorm buildings in the parking lot – there is even beauty within the common annoyances of GC; it is part of why I love this campus so much. We all know that GC is not perfect, but I think that is what makes this place so special. I am sure many reading this can attest to experiencing the “GC way” or saying “only at GC” at some point in their life. Truly a testament to our college culture, I think it is also a lesson teaching us to appreciate what is in front of us and to make the most of what we are given, even if it may not always be ideal.

I could go on and on about the countless memories I have made here on campus. From the email chain fiasco during my sophomore year, which I definitely did not instigate, to winning a TV during Casino Night even though I only had about five tickets, the times spent just sitting in Dr. Brewer’s office discussing nonsense or making those Instagram videos for the Hunger Challenge – the last couple of years have been so fun. Playing table tennis until 5 a.m., the spontaneous trips to Waffle House – I will forever cherish all these experiences and hold them near and dear to my heart.

As I prepare for life after college, I am ready to make a difference in places where I am needed, and it is thanks to everything I have gone through over the years that I am able to say this.

Four years ago, if you were to tell me – an unsure, introverted, selfish person – that I would turn into someone confident, outgoing and dedicated to serving others, I would have never believed you. My time here was a wonderful experience, and I give thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey with me. Attending Greensboro College was the best decision of my life – I have learned so much about myself during my time here and made so many unforgettable experiences and lifelong relationships. I am grateful for my growth here; I would not trade this for anything in the world. Thank you, GC.