I've never been one to believe in number superstitions. But by some strange coincidence, some of the most important events of my life have fallen on interesting dates. Today's commemoration of Ohio University's bicentennial is the latest addition to the list.
Important date No. 1 (perhaps the most important of them all): May 5, 1982, the day I was born. In addition to being my birthday, this day is also known as Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday that gives Americans like me an excuse to drink Corona and wear sombreros.
When I was in 6th grade I remember learning that my class would graduate from high school in the millennium year. We were to be the class of double O and that was pretty cool. From that point on, the pressure to succeed was high and the anticipation of the day I would walk across the stage to receive my diploma was higher.
In June, I will once again walk across some sort of stage/basketball court to receive a bachelor's degree from OU. But this time my event will be marked with 200 years of history.
When I think about OU's history, I think about the people who came before me: those who have stepped in my steps on the way to class in the morning, who have lived in my dorm room, who have sat at the computer I am using to type this.
I wonder what made them proud to be a Bobcat. I wonder what I will be proud of.
No doubt, there are many things about this institution that I would change. I will always wish I had taken more time to tell administrators how they did not meet my needs. The journalism curriculum could use some work, professors should be paid more and seniors shouldn't have to beg to get into a Tier III course that's required for graduation. I can go on ...
But my time here at OU is coming to a close. And instead of focusing on the things I wish I had changed, I want to shed my role as a bitter, jaded senior and think about the things that make me proud to display the name Ohio University on my car's rear window.
We have a great campus! I know, everyone says that. But walking through College Green makes me feel like a real college student, whatever that means. Although OU isn't an Ivy League institution, you wouldn't know it looking at our campus, decorated with grand trees and weathered brick buildings. OU students take pride in their beautiful campus, and rightfully so.
We're pretty smart. Our intelligence is represented in the research projects we do, the performances we create and the newspaper we produce each day. And one day, it will pay off. We've made our parents proud.
We have representation throughout the world. Believe it or not, there are Bobcats all over the place. Taking a trip? A fellow Bobcat is only a phone call away.
Finally, we know how to throw a party. I'm convinced this is a talent that will never lose its luster. Even though we didn't make it onto the Princeton Review's list of top party schools this year, we all know we deserve the title.
laura.withers@ohiou.edu.
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Laura Withers
