Wow, where has the time gone? It’s already time to move back ‘home’ to the place we hold so close, dear ole’ Wofford College. I believe I stand among the majority when I say I am anxious for this coming year. There are so many things changing in a whirlwind around us, and all we want are the comfortable traditions we have come to know and love, the same traditions our parents and grandparents knew as well.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry the last night we spent at the row (call me dramatic, but I did.) There was nothing I loved more than a good Friday afternoon at the house. And, boys' bid day… well, that was my absolute favorite holiday of the year. I’m overly skeptical about having spring rush. I don’t really love seeing my beautiful campus under construction everywhere I turn. And, where is one to park this year, anyway? I don’t’ know. The list could go on and on.

But then, there are also wonderful changes being built all around us. This year, we will witness the construction of the new Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts, a haven for all of our talented Art majors. Before we know it, our favorite T-pups will be #blessed with the new Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. We will welcome a brand new Greek Village to replace our beloved ‘Row.’ Phase V is getting a facelift and a new menu. The tennis courts got redone, and HEY, HEY…all new bathrooms in Greene. (There are still animals living in Marsh, I’m sure of it.) Guess what else? Wightman got a brand new air system to help with the rain forest humidity. Oh yeah, remember all those surveys about the library? Well, I heard there was some change there too. (Maybe we’ve kissed the fluorescent lighting goodbye.) With all this change, Burwell could upgrade to five - star dining, ya just never know.

In all seriousness, though, this is an incredible period of change for Wofford College. These are the types of changes colleges and universities make slowly over an extended period of time, but not us! Not Wofford. We are making great strides of improvement, and it’s time for us, as students, to embrace this change, instead of trying to hold on to the past.

It is clear that many age-old traditions are being put to rest, and while this can be incredibly heartbreaking, we also need to see the opportunity in our situation. This is our one and only chance to build new traditions at Wofford that, someday, our own children will love and cherish. What a unique treasure we have here. Yes, Wofford is a school of rich tradition, but who’s to say that new traditions can’t be made?

Our college is changing and it’s changing fast. We need not be left in the dust because of our own inability to adapt. Instead of kicking and screaming about something we cannot change, let’s mold this transition into something we will grow to love. It is my hope that we can come together as a campus to embrace the change before us and build an even better Wofford, always ‘shining with untarnished honor.’

Happiest of years to you all!