I just drove through UAH’s campus. I felt a sense of awe as I did so. So many things are changed from when I first arrived five years ago: a couple new buildings, other infrastructural changes, and a fresher attitude towards having fun. Last night’s foam party really got me to thinking about how different UAH is from when I started.

I realize one thing quite clearly: I got to reap what others sowed. The seeds of the transformation were sown by others who came before me. I have sown seeds that others will reap after me. This is how it must be, despite all those on campus who want the instant fix. There isn’t money for the instant fix, and those instant fixes won’t work. I’ve tried them.

Look at Mike. Mike’s starting a radio station. If the FCC deigns to give us a frequency, we won’t have it running over the air until 2006. Even though he’s the master of graduation delay via major change and work interference, even Mike should be gone by them. While Mike was here in the beginning of us doing hockey broadcasts, and while he’ll build the net.station, he probably won’t build the airwaves.

Yet Mike stands on the shoulders of others. Matt Cuthbert, for example. Matt pushed the radio station when he was here. He laid groundwork, including the student fee allocation for the station, that Mike is now building upon. Others will take it further.

This is so … new at UAH. We are connected to our future through our past.

It is a great time to be here. I have walked these halls for five years, and I will proudly walk them for a few more.