Graduation reflects unspeakable gratitude
Campus Times
May 21, 1999
by Simon W. Bouie
Arts & Entertainment Editor
"It's a quarter to three, there's no one in the place except
you and me. So set 'em up Joe, I've got a little story, I think you oughta
know..."
Old Blue Eyes. There will never be another like him, and in my life,
there will never be another place like La Verne. This, as always, is just
my humble opinion, but it is what I know.
My time is concluding at this dear favored spot. This is the last act,
the bottom of the ninth, the grand finale; there will be no encore.
As I prepare to graduate, this is a melancholy time in my life. I am
excited about the prospect of graduating and reaching conclusion to my schooling.
I am excited about getting a job and earning some dough.
Yet, there is a part of me that will miss the camaraderie between the
students and staff of this institution. I will miss the friends that I will
no longer see every day.
There are so many to thank for helping me reach Commencement-the various
instructors over the years: Toni Ware and Debbie Silber from Gahr High School;
Eric Bishop, Mike Laponis, Don Pollock, Shane Rodrigues and Harvel Lewis
here at ULV. I consider all of these people to be my mentors, as well as
my friends.
In their own unique ways, these people have made lasting impressions
on my life and have taught me things that no amount of money can repay.
To my dear friends for all of their encouragement and instance on my
perseverance to reach a finish line that at times I doubted I would ever
cross. Thanks, Jim, Tristen, Brian, Chris, Rob (rest in peace), and to Ali,
the most loyal and true friend that I have ever had or will ever have.
To my family for having the patience of Job as I struggled to find my
passion and consequently my career path. Thanks for helping me see the light
past the foggy horizon and giving me encouragement when seas were rough.
To my siblings, Keena, Bryan, Micah and Joshua, thanks for putting up with
me.
Special thanks to my mother and father for training me to think for
myself, for telling me not to be afraid of speaking my mind (although I
sometimes get the suspicion that they and the world regret this piece of
my character), for putting me in my place when I am wrong and for defending
me against any army.
How do I the write words to express thanks to the people who shaped
every aspect of who I am? It is not possible, for words have not yet been
written to express such sentiment. The love of such people is more precious
than gold, more beautiful than a rainbow, deeper than any river and as limitless
as space. Words just do not do these people justice.
I apologize for any semblance of mellow drama here, but every word is
sincere. The cruel reality that this is the last column that I will write
for this paper that I love is indeed sad. I hope that when thinking of my
time at ULV, people will say that I cared, that I left the University a
little better than I found it, and, hopefully, I have left a positive legacy.
Quite simply stated, I hope that I have made an impact, my mark.
All good things must come to an end. The ride is over, the final strike
has been recorded; this is the last dance, time to go.
Thanks for the memories. For all we know we may never meet again, and
old acquaintances shall never be forgotten. Take care of yourselves and
each other. Goodbye and God Bless.
"So thanks for the cheer, I hope you didn't mind my bending
your ear, so make it one for my baby and one more for the road, that long,
long road."
Simon W. Bouie, a senior broadcast major, is arts and entertainment
editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at bouies@ulv.edu.
