Oh … if these bricks could talk.
As I leave Athens in just 10 days, I’m feeling very nostalgic, yet full of happiness. I can say I truly soaked up every bit of my last four years on this beautiful campus, and I encourage you to do the same.
When I arrived at Ohio University as a freshman, riddled with anxiety because I thought I would have no friends, I had no idea the life I would create for myself here. The past four years, I’ve immersed myself in anything I could to find my identity, and somehow along the way, I made the best friendships I could ever imagine.
Joining Sigma Kappa Sorority in my freshman year was such a gift. I met my very best friends who have been there for me through my high highs and very low lows. I simply could not imagine my college experience without those strong, amazing women.
My freshman year, I tried joining multiple different student orgs, but nothing seemed to fit … until I wandered into The Post my sophomore year and never wandered out. I’m so grateful to Cole Patterson for immediately making me comfortable in my first multimedia meeting, letting my creative juices flow and allowing me to grow into leadership positions.
Cole and I created the first ever Post TV season, which has expanded the multimedia department into the realm of broadcast and was a huge success. In my junior year, I moved up to assistant multimedia director, where I learned leadership skills and helped teach journalists who were just starting. This year, I’ve been the director of multimedia, which has been the greatest experience of my college career.
I have formed a passion for teaching younger people everything I’ve learned, not just in journalism skills, but also life lessons. I certainly do not have it all figured out, but I love that I can share my experiences with freshmen who have no idea the exciting path that’s ahead of them.
Running the multimedia department alongside one of my best friends, Hailey Dunne, has been a pleasure. We’ve come up with many exciting ideas on how to expand the department, but more importantly, we spent time laughing together and confiding in one another.
Someone else who will always have a place in my heart is Chase Borland. He has become one of the most special people in my life. He is always there for me, always down to watch a true crime documentary and will certainly tear it up at The Crystal with me the second I call.
The next leaders of multimedia, Cassie Dye and Ranjini Shank, will do amazing things. I fully trust they will continue to expand upon what Hailey and I have built this year, and even add their own unique ideas. Watching both of them grow into confident, independent women has been a treat.
Lastly, how could I forget the amazing executive editor staff I’ve gotten the privilege to work with this year: Alyssa Cruz, aka Paddington; Madalyn Blair, aka Mady B Raps; and McKenna Christy; aka McNugget. You’ve all led The Post to be a successful, outstanding publication I’m proud to work for.
To everyone else I’ve ever crossed paths with at The Post, I’m beyond grateful for you. They say the people make the place, and they are right because you’ve all made me a better person, and made my time in Athens extra special.
I am far from perfect, and I’ve had to learn some very hard lessons throughout my time in college, but it’s all made me grow into who I am today. My favorite lyrics say, “If you never bleed, you’re never gonna grow,” and it couldn’t be more true. Let yourself make mistakes, but be sure to learn from them.
As I head across the country to Texas to start my career in broadcast journalism, I’m not scared because of everything I’ve learned over the past four years. When people say you don’t realize how much you’ll change in college, don’t blow it off because it’s so true. I look back at my little 18-year-old self, and I wish I could tell her everything will work out exactly as it’s supposed to.
As much as you don’t want to go to that meeting, go. As much as you don’t want to go out that night, go. And, as much as you don’t want to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, do it.
My biggest advice is to try everything until you find the one thing that will make leaving OU so hard. Mine is The Post.
Kendall Timms is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Want to talk to Kendall Timms about her column? Email her at kt353720@ohio.edu.
