When I first came to Northern Kentucky University, I never expected’ to go into a journalism career.

The Northerner changed that.

The experience at this paper has helped me learn that I have a strong passion for writing and telling a story, whether it is on the nursing program or Louisville coming to the Bank of Kentucky Center.

This newspaper has helped me get an internship and a freelancing job with KyPost.com last year and is currently helping me be in the running for a position with the Community Press.

It is hard to believe that my time is coming to an end with the newspaper, as it seems that just yesterday I was coming in to write my first sports story.

I originally came to NKU to pursue a career in sports business and work for the Cincinnati Reds. That, however, changed when I began covering sports and realized I love doing this.

Being a journalist has changed me as a person. I use to be a shy person who barely would talk. It has allowed me to open up and talk to people. I have gotten to know some really interesting people over my three years and have worked with some great people here at The Northerner.

I would like to first thank Jami Patton for giving me the opportunity to work on the staff. She picked me to be her assistant sports editor just two months after starting out as a writer.

Sitting at the realm of editor in chief of The Northerner has allowed me to grow as a journalist and a manager. It has caused me to have great respect for Amy Ehrnreiter Horn.

When I first came on staff, I was not a big fan of hers, but since being the editor in chief, I understand why she was so hard on the staff and me especially. If she didn’t do that, I would not be where I am today.

As graduation nears, I will look over all the memories I have had made, including the trips to Kansas City, St. Louis, and the three KIPA awards, and of course the late Tuesday nights that nearly killed me each week,

Good luck to the staff in the fall as they gear for a new era of The Northerner. Thanks to Mark, Jenn, Emily, Tim, Zac, Mike and others. See you all in the future.