What EMU Meant To Me

This time of year, a few years ago, I was ushered into the U.S. consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, by armed soldiers. After an eternity of signing papers and submitting to background checks, my family and I were to receive visas, our tickets to the United States, where we had prepared for a year to begin our new lives.

Six years later, I am about to be ushered across a stage in front of thousands of people to receive a document that, once again, marks the transition to a new chapter in my life. After writing hundreds of papers, completing countless group projects, splitting my time between studying, working, volunteering and my friends, I have earned a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations.

Nobel Prize winning French author Anatole France was quoted as saying, "Nine tenths of education is encouragement." No doubt, I would not be where I am today without the support of my professors, colleagues, mentors, classmates and my family.

Having attended EMU as a Presidential Scholar, I was privileged to focus on my academic performance and on gaining relevant internship experience. I was able to conduct original research, which I presented twice at the Undergraduate Symposium and could go beyond the classroom by establishing invaluable, meaningful relationships with many of my professors and mentors. Their investment in my growth is unmatched and I am grateful for the time and extra work these educators have taken on for me.

Throughout the last academic year, I was a Communications Assistant at the EMU Foundation. Working at the Foundation was my personal proving ground to apply my classroom skills in a real communications environment. Throughout, I received the support of my colleagues and supervisors and was able to apply a student perspective to my projects and in my articles for the EMU Foundation newsletter. In my experiences with the EMU Foundation, I was able to take on more and more responsibility, even executing my own public relations program.

After four years at EMU, I reflect on my growth and on the relationships I was able to build. It is not the nights spent studying that I will remember, but the reward that comes form a thorough education and a job well done. I am more than grateful for what EMU has done for me, and the opportunities that have been created to help me grow personally and professionally.

Last week, I received my acceptance letter for the Integrated Marketing Communications Master's program here at EMU. I am honored and thrilled to continue my education at Eastern Michigan University.

Looking into my future, I feel excited and full of anticipation for all that lies ahead. No doubt, there will be struggles, but I am confident that my education at EMU, in the classroom, at the EMU Foundation or in the learning laboratory that is this campus community, has prepared me for the challenges ahead. If you would like to follow me on my path, I invite you to read my blog at www.platzfueller.com