It’s tradition for Daily Beacon seniors to write one final column before we leave. I just never thought it’d finally be time for mine.

Graduation was always so far away, an abstract concept that occurred to those on the periphery—not something I imagined would finally happen to me. It’s supposed to be a farewell column, but I’m not sure farewell is quite the right word. To me, farewell means “goodbye,” “so long,” “have a good life,” all that jazz. But I don’t feel like I’m leaving forever. Not completely.

The University of Tennessee and the Daily Beacon have had a transformative effect on my life, and there aren’t adequate words to thank them or the many, many people whom have helped me along the way.

Each conversation with a stranger in line for food at the UC, every time I got an answer wrong in class and all the times I hiked up the Hill for my 9 a.m. classes, it’s all made me who I am. Personal choices are important, but I’d be arrogant to say I made it on my own. Rather, I am shaped by everyone I have met along the way and am thankful to those that guided me to the person I am.

What do I say to my teacher freshman year that almost failed me, inspiring me to change my study habits? How do I fully thank my parents that put me through college and held me to a higher standard? What do I say to all the friends I’ve made, the alumni I’ve met and the teachers who made extra time for me, if only to offer advice or lend an ear? How do I thank all the people whom had patience for my mistakes? And especially the ones that congratulated me on my successes? How do I thank them all? I can’t.

So, I won’t say farewell to UT, because farewell implies I’m leaving. And how can I leave when so much of who I am was made in these hallowed halls and by the men and women that walk them? This place has made me someone I am proud to be, and there’s no farewell for that. So instead of a farewell column, I’m making this a thank you column. I’m thankful to everyone I’ve met and known, for their time, their patience and especially their friendship.

Rather than leaving school, I feel parts of UT are leaving with me. I’m taking something much more important than my diploma or the dorm room key I swiped from Strong Hall before its demolition (come get me, Facilities Services).

Whatever it is that makes this school special, what gives us pride and a sense of identity, I feel I’ve been gifted at least a small piece of it that I can carry with me forever. Parts donated by everyone I’ve met, from my freshman year roommate whom I never see, the instructors I’ve known for years and always had time for after class and even the maintenance workers who bothered to make small talk when I was taking a break from studying for finals.

I feel like almost everyone walking across the stage next week can name at least one thing in college they wish they had never done. For myself, I’ve never painted the Rock, seen a play at Clarence Brown Theater or made the Dean’s List. But I have written for the Daily Beacon and the Tangerine, spent late nights in the library with my friends and (almost) won a snowball battle in Presidential Court, all of which have been just as important in shaping me as a person. So I look back at my time here not with regret but with gratitude for the people and experiences I’ve had. I’m excited to see the person this school helped create start his life.

And so, since I don’t believe in farewells, instead all I can say is thank you and until next time.

Here’s to you old Tennessee.