First, there was playing in the men’s basketball program. Through the team, I have met many friends and have felt the incredible surge of victory that comes after you have worked hard and toiled for something for so long. I also came in touch with a coaching staff that took a genuine interest in my life and helped to guide many of my decisions as a student. When the going got tough, the door was always open. On top of a caring coaching staff, I also found an incredibly caring training staff that took care of my injuries and almost always gave me a laugh. Our athletes are very fortunate to have such wonderful people. In the training room you could always find perspective and a good laugh.

Secondly were the opportunities I had to be a part of student government. I was fortunate to spend two years in the Senate and was fortunate enough to have been chosen as the vice-chair. Here I learned respect for others’ views and the true value of patience. I also learned that change often occurs at a slower pace than one would like, and that taking a more long-term view can be essential. I also made many friends through student government, and I will never forget all the fun I had as a member of Osiris party.

Additionally, I also came in contact with another great group, the class council of 2001. This group has been fun and energetic and understands how to get things done. This group often reminded me of how effective a team can be at tackling any type of task. A tip of the hat to Shae and the rest of the council for a great job and the fun times. Senior week will be a blast!

I guess what I am trying to say is that I have learned some valuable lessons here at RPI and probably less than 25 percent of them came in the classroom. I have had some great professors and they have taught me a lot, but it is the total experience here that really educates.

I have paid a good deal for my education at RPI, but the real lessons came from giving from myself and not from my pocket. In doing so, I had many great experiences that have made me a better person.

I would like to give thanks to the many people who have made life here at RPI as good as it could have been.

So here goes. To Bobby, T, Just, Rod, Doug, Illz, Deano, Kyle, Daddy, Kevin, Ferretti, Greg, Blessing, and Jared, thanks for all the fun both on and off the court. Thanks for not giving up. We almost made it.

To Coach Griffin and Coach K, thanks for always being there to listen and for giving your all. To the training room staff, who kept my ever-ailing back going, thanks Ort, Karen, Kit, and Chris.

To Shae, Lightm, Schmidty, Joe, Bill, Cosmo, Bob, and the rest of Osiris, thanks for a lot of laughs and for showing me that belief in making things better is not dead.

To this year’s Senate, thanks for teaching me patience. To Kareem, Gil, Arikpo, and Wei—our committee ruled. Great job, Kareem.

To the class council of 2001, thanks for keeping me laughing and for being one of the most effective groups that I have had the privilege to be associated with.

To my brothers at Zeta Psi, thanks for putting up with my constantly running off to meetings, practices, and other functions.

Thanks to Joe Ecker, Bill St. John, Father Ed, June Deery, Rick Hartt, and Lloyd Treadwell for the lessons you taught and the impact you made.

A special thanks to Kevin Beattie and Ellen Young, who always gave of themselves to make my life and those of students easier and more enjoyable.

Finally, here’s a big thanks to the people at The Poly who have indulged me in writing this notebook. So, thanks to Corey, Terry, Erika, Ryan, Joe, Andy, Matt, Meg, Nick, Mikey, Mary Kate, Dan, Terrence, Scott, Film critic man, and Steve. Long live the ministry and thanks for all the layout help.