As I reflect, there’s a lot I can say about being both a student at Ohio University and also a resident of Athens for the past four years. It’s cliché, but words truly can’t describe the impact attending this specific college had on my life.
I grew up in Barnesville, Ohio, and depending on what route you take, it’s roughly 120 miles from Athens, resting close to the border between Ohio and West Virginia. My upbringing there did a lot for my development, thanks in part to my family, friends, teachers and coaches.
When I arrived in Athens in the fall of 2022, I began my transformation into someone who could better understand who I was and wasn’t. For starters, I grew exponentially in my understanding of my faith as a Catholic man.
I discovered the student group OU Catholics in the second semester of my freshman year, and it was, by far, the best decision I ever made during my time here. Unlike the religious life I had back home, OU Catholics provided me with a comfortable foundation to explore Catholicism with other people my age.
This led to relationships that will last a lifetime, especially with my three roommates, whom I’ve had the pleasure of living with for the past two years. Also, I have formed respectable bonds with certain parishioners, clergymen and those who work for the Athens Catholic Community.
The second most-meaningful choice I made that same semester was joining The Post. I started writing for entertainment section, which I loved right from the get-go, as I had an opportunity to write about one of my favorite pastimes: watching movies and television.
I was also a part of the publication’s Multimedia section for three semesters. Near the tail-end of my sophomore year, I decided to leave that section to further pursue what I loved the most: print journalism.
Before the start of my junior year, I began to involve myself in the sports section and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I was able to report on Athens High School football for two consecutive seasons, and I had the chance to cover athletics on a university campus. I covered wrestling for two seasons, baseball for one and softball for one.
Although I didn’t get to write about particular teams I was more familiar with, like volleyball, basketball and golf, the experiences I had with other teams deepened my knowledge of those respective sports.
From the end of my junior year to the start of my senior year, I began my internship with Good Works, Inc., located in Athens. Keith Wasserman, founder and executive director of the non-profit organization, has been a key contributor to my ever-growing comprehension of a journalist’s work on an organization like Good Works, Inc.
The organization, founded in 1981, is dedicated to providing a home to those without one, and, more importantly, helping a stranger in accordance with Christian values. That’s what I adore the most when it comes to how Good Works, Inc. operates daily.
It has received a fair share of attention from local media outlets like The Athens Messenger, The Athens News, The Post and WOUB Public Media. However, this internship was more focused on why and how Good Works, Inc. is different from other standard homeless shelters.
Thanks to Wasserman and everyone associated with the nonprofit, I was able to experience a sense of humility, especially considering how privileged I am in contrast to the many people they serve.
It wouldn’t be right to conclude this piece without mentioning the opportunities I wished I had been a part of. The best example of this is I should have taken advantage of WOUB Public Media.
I spent most of my time as a journalism student focusing on print material rather than gaining crucial experience with digital, broadcast and radio. Journalists need to be Swiss Army Knives. They need to have some skill in all of the major aspects of media. I believe having all of these skills can help a journalist stand out in the industry.
Without a doubt, this is the biggest regret I have concerning my time at OU. You haven’t lived life if you don’t have some regrets. Still, it’s not like I can’t acquire those abilities I missed out on down the road.
That being said, I just want to say thank you to the city of Athens and OU for providing me with memories I will never forget. Each of them have molded me into the person I am today. Till we meet again, Athens, I will always hold a place for you in my heart.
Jude Hannahs is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Jude about their column? Email them at jh825821@ohio.edu.
