Jim's UConn Senior Farewell & Thank You

Hi all, Jim here,

It’s tough to believe how fast four years flew by and that graduation is nearly upon us!  I’ve had an amazing time at UConn, and I can honestly look back and say that I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to do. However, all of this would not have been possible without the help and support I’ve received from numerous people around me during my UConn experience. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made my college career a success.

I've met a bunch of great people through getting involved, here is my friend Matt and I in Houston at the Final Four!

First and foremost, I thank my parents for supporting me every step of the way through college.  The jump from high school to college is a big one, and without their help I think I might have gone crazy.  I’m unbelievably grateful for their help and support during the bad and (many more) good times, it’s always great to have someone to call and lean on.  Of course, it was always nice to see a few extra dollars in my HuskyBucks account to order some wings on the weekend too!

Professors and faculty members here have been extremely supportive as well.  Looking back, I see that everyone here has tried to help me succeed along the way.  Engineering classes were never easy, but professors genuinely want their students to do their best and go on to do big things.  Receiving support from Dr. Bergman and Dr. Pasaogullari, two of my engineering professors, on my goal of going to law school to study intellectual property, was certainly welcome.  I also owe it to Dr. Siegle, my First Year Experience professor who helped develop my interest in photography as well as encouraged my involvement in rewarding groups across campus (he wrote my recommendation for the Lodewick Visitors Center!).

Myself with Craig and Kyle, the two best guys I know, during the first week of school freshman year!

Finally, my friends here at UConn have been incredible, and are really the people who have shaped my entire experience and the reason I’m so sad to be leaving.  I immediately became friends with two fellow engineers, Kyle and Craig, and the three of us have been roommates for now three years after living on the same floor freshman year.  Living together for so long, we’ve gotten to know

EVERYTHING about each other, and it’s a great feeling to know we’ve all got each others’ backs, regardless of what comes up.  I couldn’t ask for better best friends, and these two have had a huge impact on my life.  Everyone I’ve met across all of the activities I’ve been involved in here have been incredible, whether through Intramural Sports, SUBOG, The Daily Campus, or of course the Lodewick Visitors Center.  Whether it’s the Colleagues who have already graduated especially Andy, Liz, Areal, and Katie who helped me find my way through sophomore and junior year, to the incredible group of seniors I’m graduating with this year (ALL of you), I’ve been blessed to have a GREAT group of people to grow up with.  Meg, Pam, and Renea have always kept me in check (not an easy task) and getting to know all of the younger colleagues has been a lot of fun.  You’ve all had a big impact on my life, and there’s nobody I’d rather share my successes, failures, and a ton of laughs with.  For the newer kids who have some time left at UConn, ENJOY IT!! It all goes by way too quickly.

I'm going to miss all of the seniors at the LVC!

Through the help and support of everyone around me, I’ve been able to not only learn a lot in the classroom, but also about myself over this four year journey through college.  I’m incredibly grateful to have been surrounded by such amazing people, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us.

To EVERYONE who has been a part of my life here, no matter how small, thank you from the bottom of my heart.