The University of Dayton is way more than just a college to me. It is more than four years of undergrad, school work and discovering who I am and what I truly love. To me, it is all the little things about Dayton that add up and make it the most magical place.
Dayton is students holding the door open for you anywhere around campus. It is such a small act of kindness, but it really goes a long way. It is this unwritten rule that everyone knows and everyone follows. Not only that, but it is also a friendly wave or a smile wherever you go. It is no wonder Dayton is highly ranked among colleges with the happiest students.
It is also an unparalleled school spirit. Mind you, I have only gone to one college, so I am slightly biased. However, during basketball season especially, it is like everyone comes together as one to cheer on the Flyers. I was a freshman during the "riots" when we got into the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight. I have no idea how everyone knew to swarm to the streets of Kiefaber, but everyone ran and cheered like I have never seen before. Thousands of students flooded the neighborhood and it will forever be one of my greatest college memories. We were the underdogs in the tournament, but we showed everyone the true Flyer spirit.
It is a friendly face no matter where you go. The amount of times I have been stopped at an airport or in a different state wearing my Dayton apparel is too many to count. Past, present and future Flyers will strike up a conversation like they've known you for years.
Dayton is Saturday day drinks. That all-too-familiar "community" word really proves itself if you just walk around the student neighborhood on any given Saturday afternoon. Dayton students come together doing what they do best...having fun. You can see us sporting jerseys or any other combination of wacky clothing. Nothing is off limits when it comes to day drinks. The weirder the better. Us students coming together to hang out on Saturday afternoons is such a comfortable feeling.
It is the friendliest cafeteria workers. One thing I miss about being an underclassman is seeing the workers in the dining halls. I never saw them without a smile on their faces. Their happiness is contagious and you cannot help but smile along with them (shoutout to Nancy).
Most of all Dayton is home. Your friends turn into your family. Day by day, without you noticing it, Dayton becomes more and more familiar. You look forward to coming back and you never want to leave. Dayton, Ohio will forever have a special place in my heart. I could not say enough good things about this school and only students who go here can really understand what I am talking about. GO FLYERS.
