As my tenure at Columbia comes to an end, I am prompted to reflect on my college career.

Deciding to transfer to Columbia was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I was a well-adjusted, computer science and engineering student at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., and the thought of leaving a school I loved, friends that are now family and the warm weather was heartbreaking. But after consulting with one of my best friends, I decided to change my major and follow my passion.

Columbia was one of the few schools that I knew had a sports journalism program and sports were indeed my first love. Upon my first steps at Columbia, I was immediately inspired and empowered by students who oozed with creativity and talent.

When I first entered into the orange area  of the Journalism Department I instantly felt at home. The feeling I was meant to be here was overwhelming.

As I began my journalism classes, I was excited about learning. The J-Department is filled with professionals who relate to classes in a different way than I’d ever experienced. They are professionals, yet still students of the industry.

As I continued to take classes, I kept hearing about one professor I had to take. Everyone I would talk to made such a big deal about how cool he was.

In spring 2009, I took my first class with Howard Schlossberg, and yes, the hype was true.

He was the most amazing and selfless person I’d ever met on Columbia’s campus. Though I’ve always loved sports, he made me dig deeper and think beyond the 48 minutes of a basketball game. He pushed me to my limits and gave me the confidence to know that there was nothing I could not do. He believed in me more than I believed in myself because, according to him, he sees something in me. He reignited my passion for sports and has afforded me numerous opportunities throughout my time here. He has single handedly made my decision to attend Columbia one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and for that I’m eternally grateful. It is because of people like him that I had the confidence to help create the health and fitness section here at The Chronicle, and to watch it blossom has truly been rewarding.

To everyone that I’ve met here at Columbia, thank you. To the readers of The Chronicle and most importantly my staff, I’d like to sincerely thank you for making this past year serving as managing editor an

unbelievable one.