“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”
– Henry Van Dyke

First and foremost, I am very thankful to be given the chance to blog on this wonderful Thanksgiving Thursday. This provided me with the perfect opportunity to express my gratitude towards everything I have been feeling thankful for, especially the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).

I spent my junior and senior years of my undergraduate degree at USG. I always took 5 to 6 classes each semester. I worked part time on campus. I was also very involved in two USG student organizations. I spent 6 out of 7 days each week there. It had become my second home.

USG is located so conveniently. The class sizes are great for learning. Parking is free. The campus is smoke-free and environmentally friendly. The staff at student services, career services, and library are always so helpful for writing my papers or doing an internship search. The custodians always do a great job with keeping the campus clean. The cafeteria and café team always prepare delicious food for us. The bookstore provides us with every little thing we might need, whether it be stationary, clothes, food, medication, or energy/coffee drink to stay awake. How great is all of this?

There’s also another side to USG that we usually tend to overlook. Speaking from personal experience, it provided me with a chance to complete my Bachelor’s degree when I lost my path due to some personal mistakes I have made and some hardships life has thrown my way. USG is a gateway that gives people their second chances in life. I am sure there are many students like me on campus too: those who made mistakes, those who are going through financial, familial, emotional, and educational hardships, those who came back to school to change their career, those who can only go to school part time due to their other responsibilities, those who needs education to support their families, the single parents striving for education for their children’s future, students who embrace or overcome their disabilities to get a University education, and many more. Without USG, and the diversity it embraces, we wouldn’t be here.

We don’t normally think of what sort of behind-the-scenes issues those in charge have to tackle. We don’t really wonder how the campus facilities are running well either. We sure don’t usually consider how the directors and program managers are working hard to create a great learning environment for us. Well, what better time than today to think about it?

I know we, students, don’t say this enough: Thank you, USG! Thank you, USG team! Thank you, everyone, for everything you’ve done for us.