A look back at Marshall

When I first toured Marshall University's campus in the summer of 2008, I immediately felt like it was where I belonged.  There is a sense of a real community here that I did not feel during my undergraduate years at the University of Kentucky.  Not that UK is a bad place, but it is easy for a student to feel invisible on such a large campus.  It also became a real pain having to reintroduce myself to my academic adviser every semester.  Marshall has been a vastly different experience, and fitting in on this campus, the journalism school in particular, has been very easy. 

I saw the movie "We Are Marshall" just prior to coming here, and I really thought I understood what Marshall is all about.  After being here the last year and a half and knowing people affected by that tragedy, I have even more respect and admiration for this school and community.  The people of West Virginia know how to come together and comfort each other during a tragedy. 

I watched with the rest of the nation during the Sago mine tragedy in 2006 as an outsider looking in, awestruck at the resillience of the mining families. I grieved with everyone a few weeks ago as an insider looking out during the Upper Big Branch mine disaster.  When the national spotlight was on Huntington for Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution," I shared the fear and scepticism of the rest of the community.  I did not want to see Huntington portrayed in a negative light. I felt protective of the community that I had come to love.

I'll be finishing up the rest of my Marshall career away from campus, so this is my last column.  I am extremely greatful to The Parthenon staff for giving me the opportunity to express myself within these pages.  I also want to express my appreciation to the readers.  I thank you for reading and for your feedback and comments, good and bad.

The Thundering Herd will always be a part of me wherever I go.  I have had some great times on this campus and my only regret is that I didn't come here sooner.  This school and the people here are very special because we know exactly who we are. 

We Are...Marshall!

Contact Cicely Tutson at tutson@marshall.edu.