Posted on June 15, 2015 by Kelsey Gliva
PARTING REFLECTIONS
4 years. 8 semesters. 37 courses. 12 photographs.
As graduation quickly approaches, I’m left to deal with the scary reality of closing one very formative chapter of my life. It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that this diverse and extremely idyllic college experience will be summarized on a single sheet of paper. Don’t get me wrong – I’m immensely proud of my Wharton education and the concentrations that my degree will list. It will reflect four years of hard work and intensive studies, challenging my stamina and internal motivation every step of the way. My Penn career, however, isn’t defined by this singular academic experience.
If my diploma could talk, it would tell stories of birthday scavenger hunts across campus, Boston Market Thanksgiving dinners, and Flings spent in the Quad. It would tell stories of the professors who inspired me to dream bigger and strive for success beyond the walls of Huntsman Hall. It would tell stories of my extracurricular involvement and the immense opportunity I had to make an impact on campus while learning from the diverse perspectives of my peers. It would tell stories of my closest friends – the ones who make me a better person and remind me that it’s okay to let my hair down from time to time. My Penn experience is a patchwork of memories sewn together by a beautiful campus and an incredible institution. My diploma should tell this story.
My major is important. My degree is necessary. My memories of Penn are absolutely irreplaceable.
Photography and Text by Kelsey Gliva
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About the Author: Kelsey Gliva is a recent graduate of the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015. To read additional articles by Kelsey Gliva, go to the search bar at the bottom of the page, type in author’s name: click the search icon.