If you are a Columbia College Chicago student, you know who Mark Kelly is. He is the man who takes the stage -- or, at Manifest 2016, the top of a school bus -- and rallies hundreds of Columbia students to chant along with him in the spirit of Columbia: “Hell yeah! Hell yeah! Hell yeah!”

Though I have never formally met Mark Kelly, I know exactly who he is, just like every other Columbia student. (I did ride in an elevator with him, once. It was like riding in an elevator with the Pope.) He gave a spectacular pep talk to incoming students and their families last summer, which I attended with my parents, being a new student. “Chicago has weather,” he proclaimed. “Buy a good pair of boots, because Chicago has weather.” A native of Chicago myself, I was tickled by his description of the freezing temperatures Chicago has been known to reach in the winter months.

One of Mark Kelly’s most memorable speeches is his “Nine Ways to Succeed at Columbia.” Among these tips to succeed are: being a part of a Columbia Crew, not indulging in illicit substances, and building your portfolio.

Kelly has accepted the position of Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago, stepping down from his position as Vice President of Student Success at Columbia on Aug. 5. Kelly has been an administrator at Columbia College for over 32 years.

I may only have been a student at Columbia for only a year, but I have had an absolute blast in all my classes (even my math class). I took up Kelly’s advice on building a “Columbia Crew.” I have built a wonderful circle of friends at Columbia, and even though Columbia will continue to thrive without Kelly, we will certainly not be quite the same as we were with him.

Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the position currently held by Michelle Boone, is certainly no easy job. We salute you, Mark Kelly, as you move on from Columbia College to work for the City of Chicago. We will remember your enthusiasm and your tips to succeed in college. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.

Hell, yeah!