When I was appointed copy chief during my sophomore year, I was surprised and flattered but very nervous. Suddenly, an entire staff was looking at me to be the expert on all things AP style; I sat with the style guide for hours trying to live up to that expectation. I memorized water polo and track jargon to try to appease the boys in the print shop. I had no idea when I took this job that I would spend about 20 hours a week with a group of people striving to create something that often goes unappreciated, but that makes us so proud. I aimed for perfection and often missed the mark, but I learned so much in the process.
Over time, I settled into my job and sitting at the copy table on Mondays and Tuesdays started to feel safe and orderly, as if it was where I was meant to be. This feeling of belonging could only come from all the great people I have gotten to work with over the years. To the staffs of volumes 95 and 96, thank you for everything. To all my copy editors who show up every week to do a job many would label as thankless: thank you, it has been such a pleasure to work with all of you. My time at The Fordham Ram has changed me for the better and helped me both academically and professionally, but it has been even more than that to me. Looking back at my college experience, I am going to remember those 3 a.m. nights and those 5 a.m. nights and those Wednesday and Thursday nights when we finally got to celebrate all of our hard work. I know I have left The Fordham Ram with lifelong friends and countless memories.
I started college as a pretty cynical freshman. I remember sitting in orientation and listening to people tell me about all these great memories I would have and the wonderful friends I would make and rolling my eyes at that. I never imagined myself as that sappy senior telling stories about the glory days of my undergraduate career. Next semester, when I am no longer copy chief and my chair at the copy table belongs to Chip, (who is going to be an amazing copy chief) I am going to try not to be that sappy senior, although the temptation will be strong. I just want to say thanks to the people that need to be thanked; I could not imagine the past three years without you.
