Yes, it’s my final column for the Setonian. Graduation awaits, followed shortly thereafter by something called �the real world.� But in preparation for this reality, I�d like to digress into some memories. It’s a necessary part of �moving on,� I�m told, but I�d like to avoid the traditional emotional (i.e. sorta sappy) way. Instead, if you�ll indulge me, I�d like to share some memories of Seton Hill University by the numbers.
I arrived four years and eight semesters ago. Seton Hill wasn’tmy first choice, but it should have been. Even though I only took classes for seven of the last eight semesters, I�ve been able to keep the graduation date I�ve anticipated since I started, that alone being a feat. Credits seem to have just piled up, now totaling over 120 to earn my degree.
By Karissa Kilgore,
Senior Staff Writer
Yes, it’s my final column for the Setonian. Graduation awaits, followed shortly thereafter by something called �the real world.� But in preparation for this reality, I�d like to digress into some memories. It’s a necessary part of �moving on,� I�m told, but I�d like to avoid the traditional emotional (i.e. sorta sappy) way. Instead, if you�ll indulge me, I�d like to share some memories of Seton Hill University by the numbers.
I arrived four years and eight semesters ago. Seton Hill wasn’tmy first choice, but it should have been. Even though I only took classes for seven of the last eight semesters, I�ve been able to keep the graduation date I�ve anticipated since I started, that alone being a feat. Credits seem to have just piled up, now totaling over 120 to earn my degree.
Two independent studies have helped me fulfill requirements for my major and two minors. Seven credits at the community college sealed my liberal arts core. I�ve had joyful freedom to take classes outside my major for enrichment such as tap dancing, drawing, a variety of art history, and even philosophy of art — all of it keeping me sane and, at the same time, fascinated with my major.
I broke my foot twice. I was asked how I did it ? times (for each time I broke it — so that makes ? x 2, huh?). Just FYI — the first time was playing basketball with the Resident Assistant (RA) staff (and that was the only time I played), and the second break happened during a fire alarm thanks to one step I didn’tknow about. Speaking of which, I cannot estimate the number of fire alarms I�ve endured, either by drill or accident.
I attended four beautifully decorated and wonderfully catered Christmases on the Hill — along with four slightly insane dances, keeping me up till about 3 a.m. whether I wanted to be up that late or not.
I haven’tmissed a single Midnight Breakfast, but I usually eat breakfast in my room.
There have been three snow days in my tenure at SHU — two of which came this past blustery February.
I�ve had five different work-study jobs — three wonderful years on third floor Administration Building for a business center that now sports a much better name, one year as an RA and Resident Teaching Assistant (RTA), one year way up on fifth floor Admin. working with students at the Writing Center, and one semester doing the best I could to help one fabulous professor with her book.
Seton Hill has helped me to attend and present at two different national conferences — one in Pa. last year and one in N.Y. about a month ago. I�ve also been afforded the opportunity to complete a total of three internships.
My last internship brought me a wonderful job opportunity that I didn’teven apply for, so while the number of jobs I�ve applied for is zero, the value of my internship experience is ?.
My favorite things, though, are the ones I can’tcount — the friends, the smiles, the laughs, the tears, the memories, the trips across A-Lot… I also can’tcount the people I feel I need to thank.
I count my experiences at Seton Hill as a collective success. And while many have tried to define success through the years, I can summarize what it means to me at this point in my life: I know where I�ve been and what I�ve done, but success is applying these experiences to where I�m going.
Best to you all — keep the Hill alive.
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