Clemson senior Thomas Marshall III shares his thoughts<\/strong>
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Dear Class of 2020,
\nWhen you walked into your last class before spring break, you never thought that that would be some of your last Clemson moments. The last time you would see that friend, the last time you would chat with your favorite professor or the last time you would take a stroll across Library Bridge looking over the sparkling Reflection Pond.
\nThe harsh reality is, it was. COVID-19, the coronavirus, or whatever you want to call it has turned our lives upside down. No, I\u2019m not talking about the Upside Down, the creepy alternate universe in Stranger Things<\/em>, but it sure feels like that some days. Our graduation ceremony has been postponed, and some of us have lost job offers, not knowing what is next for post-graduation plans. The reason it hurts so bad is that humans crave celebration. We need celebration and ceremony to gather, to mark milestones and to enjoy life. We love those end-of-the-year awards, those last functions where they honor the seniors \u2014 we love it all. Ceremonies make transitions easier for us. Well, we don\u2019t have that luxury. But there is something we do have\u2026<\/p>\nWe have Clemson.<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>
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I know what you\u2019re thinking: I have heard this before. I have seen and read every meme and post about the class of 2020, and whatever you say, Thomas, is not going to help.
\nWell, you are right. I cannot take back what has happened in our world or even begin to describe some of the feelings that we are all experiencing right now, but what I can do is talk about something that we all share and are forever indebted to.
\nThink back to the first time you stepped on campus. Those butterflies in your stomach when you were nervous about meeting your roommate, going to your first class, rushing that sorority or fraternity you always wanted to join. It was all scary. You were not ready for what was next, kind of like we are all feeling now. We do not know when life is going to go back to normal, or even go to our \u201cnew normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
But that is OK. We have Clemson.<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>
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For me, Clemson has changed my life. When I first entered campus, I was scared to death. Coming from a small high school, I was not ready for the 20,000 students who walked the campus every day. I remember my first class at 8 a.m. where I didn\u2019t say a word to anyone because of how scared I was. But I also remember a feeling that I could not describe. Even though Clemson was a challenge and I was scared about sticking it out, I did. I got involved. I applied for things I never thought I would get. I put myself out there, and I stay committed to those rolling hills no matter how bad my calves hurt.
\nClemson was not always easy for any of us. We have all loved and enjoyed our time here, but there have always been challenges. Long nights in Cooper, homesickness and times where you felt like you did not know where to go. But as Clemson taught us, we weathered the storm. We made it through the trials and tribulations and came out stronger. Now I know this challenge is even bigger. More daunting. Something we have never even dealt with before. But in my heart, I know we are up for the task.
\nEven though we will not be walking across the stage in May, we will be walking into a new stage of life. Every tiger has its stripes, and we have ours. We have the greatest university behind us, and when things get back to normal, a place we can always come home to.<\/p>\n
We have Clemson.<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>
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So Class of 2020, don\u2019t think of this time as something we cannot get through. Clemson has taught us to have grit, determination and a spirit of excellence. Let\u2019s stay the course \u2014 and as always, be All In.<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Thomas Marshall III \u201920<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>
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Thomas Marshall III \u201920 will be\u00a0 attending graduate school for higher education in the fall or working in the field of political communications.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>
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