After celebrating my first National Marquette Day, I have realized that it is a lot more than an excuse for fireworks and basketball. National Marquette Day and the Alumni Reunion Weekend are a chance to celebrate the 131 years of tradition that makes Marquette the University that it is. These traditions include the National Marquette Day basketball game, the pep rally, mass at Gesu and St. Joan of Ark, the alumni basketball game, and time spent with friends and family celebrating Marquette. With over 110,000 alumni and 11,000 current students, the Marquette Nation is strong and proud!

Just being on campus, the energy is automatically apparent. With so many returning alumni and excited students, the whole campus comes alive. There is a sense of community and camaraderie which is what Marquette is all about. Students, faculty, and alumni alike participate and enjoy the various events, all side by side. Together we sing "Hail Alma Mater" and "Ring Out Ahoya", together we cheer on the Golden Eagles not only on the court but in everything they do and that is what sets us apart from other colleges and universities. Our sense of pride within and of our community is incredible. It amazes me how quickly an entire campus can feel like home, that an entire student body can feel like a family. It is a rare occurrence for an institution to inspire so much commitment and loyalty from its students and patrons. As alumni return, they offer expertise, networking opportunities, and help in any way they can. Their devotion to our University means that after our four years, we will still have a home here.

Now I get it, National Marquette Day is about celebrating the progress, tradition, and culture we have created here, it's a time to honor the people who made this school great, and to inspire those who will make it even better. It is about legacy and passion. Yes, it is a day on the calendar during basketball season, but THIS IS OUR DAY.