Life at TCU was well worth the trip
COMMENTARY
David Reese

If I was asked four years ago what would be the one thing college would teach me, I would have responded, “to enhance my journalistic craft.” And although I will agree, compared to the very first feature article I wrote on an upcoming musician named Dot Allison (I know, who?), I really have enhanced that craft.

But the truth of the matter is that college has taught me much more than just a craft. It has taught me about me. As a freshmen, I traveled some 1,400 miles away from my family and friends to a place I had only visited for two days some six months earlier.

There was definitely the thought that “I am never going to make it,” especially when my parents drove away and I was standing in front of Milton-Daniel Residence Hall.

I have seen many people leave because they could not adjust to this new type of life.

And although I credit numerous people, the truth is that my success is based on the fact that I didn’t jump back into the car as my parents left that hot August day, or any other day.

The university’s flyers, pamphlets and admissions counselors always say how TCU is one big happy family and it is just a wonderful place to spend four years at (or five and six for some people). And actually, it really has been incredible. From my very first friend at the university in English 10103, Katie Swetala, to all of the people I have encountered over the years through residential services, student government and even the TCU Daily Skiff, I have found a home far away from my true family.

Since this is my last article for the Skiff, I feel like I need to share this space with those who have helped me become the person I am today.

My educators and mentors: Peggy Watson, Todd Kerstetter, Anne Lucchetti, Melissa Young, Margaret-Rose Marek, Ryan Burns, Paul Harral and Earnest Perry. And especially Tricia Cerda and Karen Miller, my fourth grade teachers, who gave me my first journal to write my thoughts, stories or ideas because they saw my potential and believed I would one day become a writer.

Residence life has been a large part of my career at TCU. It was the first area of the campus that treated me like family and I feel like I have been a resident assistant forever. I want to thank all of the staffs I have ever been on.

I don’t have a lot of space left but I want to mention some of the best friends I have ever had such as Swetala, Eric Lammers, Jen Gideon, Antoinette Vega and James Beasley.

Lastly, the people I owe this entire life to ... Mom, Dad, Jen, Grandma, Joe, Brie and God. Thank you for the guidance and support that has given me the power to spread my wings and take a lot of leaps in my life. I love you all and TCU, I love you too.

David Reese is a graduating senior news-editorial journalism and speech communication major from Oceanside, Calif. He can be reached at (d.w.reese@tcu.edu).