For one of the few times in my life, I’m not quite sure what to say.

In six days, I’ll be the first man in my family to graduate from college.

But what was college to me? The Chronicle. For the last two years, this place and all that comes with it have shaped me as a person.

I believe that people are not necessarily defined by the choices they make, but rather by their surroundings and the people they choose to associate with. I chose the right people. The surroundings were an awesome bonus.

The Chronicle has been my surrogate family. I honestly don’t know what I would have done had it not been for this place and the people in it.

I know my time in St. Paul, Minn., this summer will be kickass in ways previously unknown, but that’s the problem: I don’t know how I’m going to get by without the people I have now. If I had to go back to the beginning, I wouldn’t change a thing. I can confidently say I have no regrets about my college experience. I couldn’t ask for anything else.

Seriously, though, college was bitchin’ in every sense of the term. Staying up all night in the middle of the winter to watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan, “work outings” at the DoubleTree and going to dozens of concerts will be moments I’ll cherish forever.

To my Chronicle cohorts—Brianna, Luke and Ren—I’ve never been happier to go to work every day. I’m a lucky guy to have been paid to hang out with my best friends.

Jeff and Stephanie, you’ve guided and kept me from shooting myself in the foot more times than you should have had to. Your efforts will not have been in vain.

Chris, there aren’t words to describe what you do for The Chronicle and the college as a whole. I could say “Thank you” until I’m blue in the face and it wouldn’t be enough. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t have all of you to talk me off a ledge every now and again.

I hate cliches, but all good things must come to an end. But this—my college experience and time at The Chronicle—wasn’t good. It was perfect, and perfection is forever.

Now and then, I look back on the circumstances that brought me to where I am today: an overly conservative high school education, a group of friends that understands me and my humor better than anyone should and a family that has done and continues to do more for me than I could ever possibly deserve.

Mom and Dad, your countless investments will prove to be wise. I promise.

I’ll make you guys proud; just you watch.