Hi all! Thanks for checking out the last edition of My View of MSMU. Last week I mentioned how time seems to be slipping through my fingers. This has become even truer as I process the fact that my graduation cap, gown and hood have finally arrived in the mail. I ordered my dress last week; trying it on was surreal, knowing the next time I wear it I'll be dolled up and ready to walk across that stage, hoping I don't trip in my heels.
It's obvious that the class of 2021's senior year was unlike any other. Only attending class in person a few days each week and not being able to sit at the same table with friends in Patriot represents only the small details of our social-distanced year. I hate to harp on the events we were forced to miss due to COVID, like senior formal and a final tiki dance, but it's still frustrating despite all the factors out of our control. Luckily, the Mount is hosting a senior celebration Friday, May 14 complete with carnival games, rides, free refreshments and tacos! I'm excited to see my classmates in person and catch up with people who I haven't chatted with in a while.
I'd like to give a shoutout to communication department professors Dr. Kumar and Dr. Kennedy for hosting and organizing a senior event for graduating students within the major at Catoctin Breeze Vineyard last week (pictured above). We enjoyed a few glasses of wine, a spread of delicious meats and cheeses, and toasted to our undergrad accomplishments. Celebrating the past four years with my peers raised my spirits and put me in a better mindset to finish the semester strong.
Final papers and projects will pass like they always have and a new chapter will begin. I'll never forget the feeling of walking to my 8 a.m. Origins of the West final exam spring semester of freshman year after lingering in the library until 2 a.m. the night prior with my friends. The morning light highlighted the campus perfectly, I aced the exam and had finished the last of my essays. I felt relieved and hopeful for summer.
I can't wait to experience that euphoric feeling again, but this time I'll be stepping into a new version of myself. I'm beyond grateful for my time at the Mount; but I'm even more grateful that I'll be continuing my education here and gaining professional experience in the office of public relations and marketing as a graduate assistant. Applying the skills that I've gained through my courses by contributing ideas and seeing them come to life will be rewarding, to say the least. I've only heard good things about the MBA graduate classes, and I know that I'll feel so much more confident eventually entering the job market with another degree under my belt.
Fingers crossed that our commencement ceremony plans will pan out to fruition. My family and I plan on gathering at our "new" residence in town before and after graduation...which isn't exactly new as it was built in the late 1800's. The details of the home are beautiful and my family quickly fell in love with it. It needs some work, so it'll be fun to help my mom fix it up this summer by updating the kitchen and painting the rooms. Along with living in Emmitsburg and (hopefully) working at the Mount, I plan on adopting a dog this summer and enjoying long walks around town.
Sitting at graduation 6 feet apart from everyone will be a little weird, but merely attending a ceremony and being able to have four guests in the stands is a blessing nonetheless.
I can't thank my professors and classmates enough for the challenges that sculpted me and the memories that will never leave me. If you see me on campus or wandering the halls of Bradley next semester, be sure to say hello!
Thanks for joining me on this new adventure. I hope to see all my senior readers at the Night at the Mount event on Thursday!
H.A.G.S... and Go Mount!