It’s been a couple of weeks since I walked across the ASU Gammage stage, shook the dean’s hand, and became a master of mass communication. I’ve had some time to process the accomplishment, and there’s something I need to share.
As hard as I’ve worked, I really and truly did not do this alone. From the time I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by very special people: folks who told me I should dream big, folks who showed me that hard work pays off and folks who encouraged me to keep going when the going got really rough. Some people did huge things, like explaining why I needed to work for a paper for free or what grad school is all about. Other people did little things, like make me laugh at the end of a long production night after a long shift slinging burgers. And a whole lot of people did something in the middle: answer an awkward question, listen to an overwrought rant, or buy me a drink when I was broke.
To all those people, and all the others who helped in countless other ways: we did it. I literally can’t thank you enough.
But know this: There’s still a lot more I need to do in the world, so don’t think you’re off the hook.
Dateline: Paradise 