There are very few permanent things in life. Just in my own
time, I’ve seen buildings crumble, relationships fall apart, careers ended, reputations
destroyed, and reigns dismantled. It’s very difficult to say which things will
truly last and which will soon meet their demise. Some of the greatest sadness
we feel is when good things come to a sudden, unexpected halt. Which is why, as
I close out my Kellogg career, I am actually surprised to feel a certain sense
of joyous calm. Sure, the past two years have flickered by at an unimaginable
speed, and I will be saddened to say goodbye to the friends and lifestyle I’ve
so greatly enjoyed. But I am leaving with a prideful certainty of one very
important fact—I will forever be a Kellogg alum*.
You see, I was going to go to Booth. I was sure of it. After
investigating some other schools, I finally settled on staying in Chicago with
Booth #1 and Kellogg #2. In my mind, I could differentiate myself at Booth by
being an outspoken, outgoing leader amongst a sea of calculating introverts. I
poured all my energy and focus into my Booth application, and once I was done
and took a breath, I applied to Kellogg. I remember Tegan telling me that my
Kellogg essays, while much quicker to write, sounded more natural and like they
came from the heart. In the end, I think the Booth admissions board smelled the
desperation and the Kellogg board saw one of their own. Kellogg had already
taught me an important lesson: stay true to yourself and the right people will
welcome you with open arms.
Another lesson I’ve learned, visible only through the sharp
lens of hindsight, is that Kellogg presents an incredibly vast set of
opportunities for each and every student. We all start on the same wobbly foot
by playing drunken dizzy bat at CIM, but from there we embark on a trip so
unique that no two Kellogg experiences are exactly alike. Every student hurtles
through their own chaotic path like a plinko chip bouncing through a wall of
infinite plastic pegs, with each spike representing a class or club or party on
which they can either leave their mark or pass on through. I charted my own
course through entrepreneurship and finance classes; PE/VC conferences; FinD
group meetings; Fall Balls and trollies; KWEST, ski, and golf trips; and
countless hours of loud studying. And perhaps most importantly, it was Special
K! and everyone involved with those productions that gave my Kellogg voyage its
true meaning. Those experiences shaped me into the individual and (soon to be) graduate
I am today.
I know that no other student did exactly what I did over
these past two years, but I also know that all of us grew in tandem, supporting
each other along the way—our paths were unique but our journey was shared.
While we were distracted by all the activities, homework, and brave thinking,
an education snuck up on us until we look back at the fall of 2011 and barely recognize ourselves. All of us are now better prepared and more inspired
to tackle our futures that will diverge ever wider and ever more unique.
But we will always have Kellogg. No one can ever take that
away from us. So before we take that first step after graduation, I’d like to
thank every student, professor, administrator, and faculty member for an
unforgettably permanent experience. And a special thank you to the Class of
2013—I can’t think of a better group of people to spend forever with.
*And a Wisconsin alum. Go Badgers!
