Do you ever sit back and wonder why you chose to go to a small private college instead of going to a college with 10,000 plus students enrolled? I am sure everyone here at Kentucky Wesleyan has gone through the same thought process, but we at Wesleyan get something special here that we would not get at a big school. What the students get here at Wesleyan is the personable connections amongst factuality, staff, and classmates.

For example, if you went to Indiana University, the chances of the professor knowing your name yet alone knowing anything about you would be slim to none. You go to Kentucky Wesleyan, so the chances of your professors knowing your name is much higher. You have a much better chance of having a personable relationship with your professor here at Kentucky Wesleyan College then you would at Indiana University, which has over 40,000 students enrolled.

Relationships in general are one of the most important things in life. They are what create a basis in your life that is important for your own health. I am going to give you my own personal experience. I went to a school that had about 12 to 14 thousand students at the University of Maine. I was there for one year and experienced it all. I experienced classes ranging from 50 students all the way to 300 students, and I could not tell you a single person’s name from my classes. The people whom I remember are my teammates at the time and other surrounding athletes.

Here at Kentucky Wesleyan, I not only know my teammates and other athletes, but I know people who are in theatre and art and who work at the local movie theatre, along with people who work at the local pet stores and local restaurants. I know their names, and I also know about their lives. I do not feel uncomfortable asking my professor to write me a reference letter for my resume because I know they would do a good job because they truly know who I am and what I have to offer.

The best thing is walking through the halls and saying hello to other smiling faces. Kentucky Wesleyan College is about who you are with and the relationships you are able to develop because you are one of a few strong, dedicated students instead of one of many mediocre ones who are only in school for the social aspect. We are students first, here to learn and grow and bond in real ways with the people we share our journey with, and that will make us better leaders, friends, and family members in the future.

Large schools I’m sure offer many benefits, but those do not outweigh the personal learning and bonding we all do here every day. This small school is and will continue to mold us into strong, successful participants in society because of the individual attention and dedication of all campus members to our success. I am very happy to have left a large, faceless school for a small, personable one.

Wesleyan is one of the best schools in the nation. We have such a family-like atmosphere here. There is no better place to get an education than somewhere where you feel as though everyone is supporting you. It is nice to walk around campus and not feel weird saying “hi” or smiling at someone. After all, the workplace probably won’t be like that. We are competitive here, but we know how to support each other and make everyone a better person each day. You leave Wesleyan with so much more than a degree. I know. I will leave with life-long friends, amazing experiences and hope for my future. So, for those of you who are getting ready to leave here soon, thank you for making Kentucky Wesleyan a special place. It takes everyone committing to making something great, and I think we are on the right track. We are a little school with big dreams and even bigger opportunities ahead.