They have been the worst of times and the best of times --my four years at The University of Memphis.
From the late nights studying to the wonderful life's lesson, I will never forget my time at The U of M.
I have learned from several superb professors and have enjoyed educating myself in many magnificent environments -- classrooms, libraries and computer labs.
But I realize the best classroom and learning environment I experienced could be found in room 210 of the Meeman Journalism Building.
In my two years of working at The Daily Helmsman, I received first-hand experience in covering politics, local news and my first love, sports.
With the leadership of The Helmsman general manager Candy Justice, I was able to grow as a journalist.
I feel I had a chance to work with future greats -- names the world will see writing the stories that shape our lives, like Stephanie Myers, L. Jason Smith, Marcus Matthews and Daniel "Ali," Ford. We call him 'Ali,' because he is the greatest.
From the plush green couch of the newsroom of The Helmsman, I watched the city of Memphis change and the world take on a new identity.
I watched, along with America, as Al Gore and George W. Bush battled for the presidency in 2000. My bad, I meant I watched the cast of 'The Golden Girls' and Florida politicians screw up the election so the Supreme Court justices could decide our nation's 43rd president.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the word terrorism became the part of our daily vocabulary. The country's greatest tragedy has lead to so many weird events.
Now the color-coded United States is involved in a game of hide-and-go-seek with terrorist Osama bin Laden, former Iraqi hhdictator Saddam Hussein and weapons of mass destruction.
On the lighter side besides TV shows like "American Idol" or "Trading Spaces" dominating pop culture, sports has provided an escape from reality in the past four years.
The great Barry Bonds set a new single season home run in 2001 with 73. Lance Armstrong has won every Tour de France since I have been in college. The Los Angeles Lakers took home three straight NBA titles.
All-time great running back Emmitt Smith broke Walter Payton's NFL rushing record.
Sports always seemed to serve as a diversion from my problems while in school. The world of sports brought Memphis one of it most historical moments. In March of 2001, the NBA's Grizzlies began the process of leaving Vancouver to move to Memphis. The city had its first big league team.
Although I haven't covered a Grizzlies' game, I have had the pleasure of covering University events and Tiger sports.
Working at The Helmsman has afforded me the opportunity to meet local politicians like Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton, Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. and Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton.
I have interviewed actors Martin Sheen of 'The West Wing', Julia Louis Dreyfuss of 'Seinfield' and Alfre Woodard of several motion pictures.
From interviewing rapper Ludacris, U of M basketball coach John Calipari and NBA lottery pick Dajuan Wagner, I can name drop with the best.
My name-dropping contradicts one of my mentor's actions. In addition to the lessons I have learned from Professor Justice in class -- just by watching her, I learned that a good journalist does not name drop.
So, forgive me for the celebrities I mentioned earlier in this column -- I only did it this once to illustrate how The Helmsman provides wonderful opportunities for young reporters.
For years, I talked and worked with Professor Justice -- she never once mentioned she ate dinner with comedian Bob Hope.
If the legend hadn't past away recently, she would have never brought it up.
Behavior like that is what I hope will develop within me in my career. Professor Justice has taught and shown me how to be a professional.
With faculty like Professor Justice and increasing technology with the FedEx Technology Institute, this campus provides so many opportunities for students. If you are here for business, engineering or journalism, The University of Memphis is like Visa -- it's where you want to be.
