No more tests, no more class, and no more group projects. Those are the things you look forward to when graduating college, as you are moving into the next phase of life. As a senior graduating in December, these thoughts are beginning to arise in me, as I complete many of “my lasts” around Shippensburg University.

However, I have not necessarily enjoyed this process. It has caused me to become reflective, as I wonder how the hell I made it through these 23 years of life and on the cusp of being a college graduate. I realized that without the type of support, encouragement, friendship and love that I have been blessed to receive in my lifetime that I would not have been able to be anywhere close to where I am.

Ultimately, this causes me to give thanks.

To my parents, Edward and Margaret Mortimer, thank you for everything you have done for me and my sister, Sarah. We owe you everything as without you, nothing her and I do would be possible. You are the reason I’ve been able to develop my love of sports and pursue my dream in sports writing.

To my sister Sarah, it has been you and I from the start and it will be like that to the end. I am so proud of everything you are accomplishing, and the person you have become.

I have the absolute best siblings in the world, my older sisters Erin and Andrea and my brother, Michael. They accepted my sister and I into their family with open arms, and have developed a bond with us that will last a lifetime. I am so thankful to have them in my life, as each of them serve as their own individual role model for me in the way they carry themselves and succeed.

When I came to college, I was one of those people that thought I had made all the friends I would need in my life. Boy, was I wrong. Sure, I’m still with friends with many people that I had known before coming to SU, but I’m leaving here with more than I could have imagined.

To my friends, thank you for being the most caring, hilarious and loyal cast of characters I could’ve ever been blessed with. Without your support, laughs, and good times, I would not have been able to endure this ride through college. While there are far too many of you to mention, you know who you are, and I will cherish the memories we have made for a lifetime.

This publication is what really brought together my college career. My time spent at the Slate and with the Slate staff is something that I’ll never forget and hold dear to me. While we have spent the past few years putting out a great newspaper, I will remember how we spent the last couple years working together with a common goal and laughing all along the way. For that, I am thankful that I was accepted as a part of this newsroom, and I will sincerely miss my position as sports editor.

Of course, by being a part of the Slate, I have worked with Dr. Michael Drager extensively over the course of my time. I owe a huge thanks to Dr. Drager for pushing me to do things that I did not think I could do and challenging me to become a better writer and reporter. With his guidance and training, I am headed into the real world knowing that I am ready to succeed.

There are some unsung heroes on this campus that I believe deserve some recognition and some thanks. To Bill Morgal, our SU Sports Information Director, you are the absolute best in the game and you have made my job so much easier for the past few years. Thank you for always being the most reliable and courteous guy around.

Finally, I owe a thanks to the Shippensburg community. We spend every day in a town living together, coming to school, learning about life and working together to accomplish goals. Whether it’s Ralph the Steelers guy, or Sandy from Kriner, these people are what made living in Shippensburg worthwhile and is something that I will miss tremendously.

So as I put the finishing touches on my last edition as sports editor, I must offer this advice: enjoy your time here at this University and learn as much as you can. Build relationships with people, and spend time doing what is best for you. Before you know it, you will be reflecting upon your own graduation.

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