"This past semester was my last one at the University of Evansville. I graduated in May with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics, applications in Economics. I received an Honor’s Degree for completing the Honor’s Program at Evansville, which required that I present the paper that I had written the previous summer. I presented the paper at the University of Evansville Undergraduate Symposium on Global Enterprise and my paper won the Best Research Paper award. I was very pleased to win because I had not even realized that they were giving awards until they started presenting them. Not only did I receive a nice certificate, but I also was awarded a $1,000 check.

My classes this past semester were mostly electives. I chose to take classes that I thought I would enjoy such as Coaching Basketball and America in the 1960s. It was a choice I was very pleased with as I was able to relax more than I had in previous semesters. This allowed me to spend more time with my friends and to appreciate the time I spent with them.

My last semester at Evansville was certainly one of my favorites. As my time there came to a close everything I did was filled with the knowledge that it would all be over in a few more months. The past semester was slightly more magical then ever before, because everyone knew it might be the last time we were together. Classes felt more interesting because they may be the last ones I am required to take, pick-up basketball felt more fun because it might be the last time I got to play with my friends, and each meal at the dining hall tasted a little bit better because it might be the last one I had there.

In the end, my time at Evansville was amazing. I met too many terrific people to count, forged friendships that mean something to me, figured out how to live without mom and dad, and of course, had the chance to learn about math, economics or any other subject that interested me. I want to say thank you to the Scott County Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment for all that they have done for me. I have had great experiences and am the person I am today, in part, because of the opportunities that they gave me."