Monday, March 28, 2011

I wonder if Mick Jagger ever applied to college


Tradition.  A word that means so much to so many different people. So what does tradition mean to me?

Tradition is why I came to Penn State.  But, sadly, not for the reasons you would usually associate with the word “tradition.”  My entire life I wanted I attend the University of Notre Dame.  I applied to eleven other schools including Penn State (on a whim), but my heart was set on the Fighting Irish.  My father is a graduate and my sister is a currently a senior.  Just like singing the fight song, visiting the grotto, and watching Notre Dame football games on NBC, acceptance to the university was a tradition.  But when acceptance letters came out it was apparent the “Jumonville tradition” stopped with me.  After the tears and devastation my only solace and relief was found in The Rolling Stones: “You can’t always get what you want.  But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.”  Why do I need Penn State?  Why do I now bleed “Blue and White” and call Happy Valley home?  Tradition.  I find tradition at the Pennsylvania State University.  How big is the “Jumonville Tradition?” My Dad and my Sister.  How big is the Penn State tradition? 45,000.  


I chose Penn State because when I visited in the spring of my senior year of high school I found a place where tradition meant as much to the students and faculty as it did to my family and I.  I wanted a place where university pride bellowed from the student section during football games and whispered down the quiet halls of the library.  


I truly believe I have found that at Penn State, and for that, I thank you.

1 comment:

  1. Obviously, you made the right choice!!!!! I like your second to last sentence the most, especially, "whispered down the quiet halls of the library." It contributes powerful imagery.

    Oh and you're welcome :)

    ReplyDelete