Last night, I was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, The International English Honors Society, and I got to attend the award ceremony for fellow inductees and scholarship winners. I was blown away listening to all of the fascinating stories surrounding these highly successful students.

There were award winners who had full-time jobs, kids, and still found time to volunteer. One young woman tutored grown men in a prison, was a substitute teacher in a school, and carried an impressive GPA. Another student carried a perfect GPA - a 4.0.

All of their accomplishments were overwhelmingly impressive, and many students are just getting started. The winners ranged from sophomores to graduate students, and each one was just as academically advanced as the next. Despite the heightened sense of accomplishment, every awardee remained humble and gracious throughout the whole night. I admired both their actions and their attitude.

During the intermission, and after the ceremony, I had time to chat with some professors from semesters past. It was wonderful catching up and, now that I am so close to graduating, discussing ideas in a different way. I had the opportunity to thank them for their critique and guidance, and ask for book recommendations (what else would an English major want to know?). We talked about summer plans, and their own projects.

When it was time to head out, I felt a tug at my heart strings for the first time since the end of classes. I was happy to have more time on my hands, and return to work, but I big part of me did not want to go.

It didn't hit me until I was sitting in the car. Academia. I cared so emphatically for every award-winner, and was so pleased to hear about each success. The desire to stay and discuss literature, or culture, or even ideas was strong. Something tells me that this is not the end of my college career.