The Rocket

Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Opinion

When I was 7 years old, I would travel to Slippery Rock with my parents to watch my father play in the Musician's Concert Band.

At the time, I never even thought of college, much less the thought of attending SRU.

Now, after spending a little more than four years here, I can't believe that I'm ending my college career.

There have been ups and downs, but I can honestly say that my time in Slippery Rock has provided me with memories that will last a lifetime.

After graduation, I will be spending time working at a public access television station in Altoona while I sort my life out.

While I'm typing this, I am also getting ready to produce the final episode of my television show, "SRUnderground." I am a pretty laid-back guy, but doing these things made me finally realize that I only have one more week to go.

I leave with all of you some parting advice.

First off, get involved in as many things as you can and do it early. Goofing off in the dorms is fine every once and awhile, but you have more than enough time to get out and participate in the campus community. Four years goes by quicker than you think, so use every available second. Your actions now will determine what your future will be like. It's better to have a résumé and portfolio with too much material than too little.

Next, show people that you are an intelligent college student and break the stereotype of the 20-something slacker skipping classes and waiting for the next party. Keep up on current events, look at material that is not covered in class, heck, go out and read a book just for your own personal enjoyment. I have mentioned numerous times that I walk around this campus and wonder how some people got accepted into an institution of higher learning. Prove me wrong.

College is a period in a person's life when he or she gets to experience different ideas, attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking. Keep an open mind and be objective. Analyze things from different viewpoints than your own. There are so many good things out there to be exposed to as long as you approach it with a clear head.

I am truly going to miss this place, if only for the fact I could get away with so much. If I decide to get into a newspaper again, it will be a long time before I get to rant about things in an opinion article. I am also sure my editor will toss out any columns about zombies or sasquatches.

And as much as I love television, I am positive that even FOX would have some concerns about airing some of the things that I have thought up. Only in college does a man have the opportunity to film a ceramic cat, dub his friend's voice over it, tweak the levels so it sounds possessed and air it over the campus television network.

Some people compile a list of people to thank with their final column.

Since many of you would have no clue who these people are, I am just going to say a general thank you.

Thanks to my professors who have put up with me for the past four years.

Thanks to my friends at Old Main that helped me out whenever I needed it.

Thanks to all the friends I have made here that know how to make life a little more interesting.

Before I wrap this up, The Rocket will need another opinion writer and I am sure there is someone on this campus that is as bitter and sarcastic as I am to fill my shoes. This paper needs someone to keep people on their toes.

Finally I have a confession to make. When I started here, there were four greasers on this campus and I'm the last one to leave. I just wanted to let everyone know this is a conspiracy by the university and I'm sure there will be another one next year to take my place.

You will never learn of our true intentions or purpose.

Tony Maiocco is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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