Today was hard because a lot of guys were moving out of the house. I'm not sure when I will see some of them again. But, it sucks because I had to watch them go. There were no emotional goodbyes today. Everyone was happy and excited for summer. They all wished me the best and told me I'm welcome back whenever I get ready.

There are so many people that have touched my life while I've been here. I dont know how to say goodbye to them. They have made these past four years the best times of my life. I just wish the clocks would stop.

As I close my final blog post, I want to thank the readers who have taken this journey with me. It means a lot whenever I get comments on my blogs or graduation cards in the mail (Thank you so much Karen McCarthy!). I'm glad I was able to share my time at Wabash with you. There have been some wonderful moments, some crappy moments, and some (extremely) funny moments.

If you're a student in high school and considering Wabash, I can honestly say I have no regrets from choosing to come here. My only regret is that it feels like this year flew by too quickly.

Commencement is in a week, and I'm trying to savor every moment I have left at Wabash.

Until next time.

In Wabash,

Daniel L. King '10

It's funny. Growing up, my family never really sat around the table for dinner. Whenever I had to do it, I was always a little uncomfortable. I was never able to master the art of dinner conversation. Well, that anxiety came to a screeching halt when I was a pledge. All my meals were with at least 40 guys. At first, I was really concerned about the "rules" of dinner conversation. Do you talk while you eat? Do you talk about school? Do you try to make jokes? It was all new territory for me, especially because I was having dinner with my peers and not my elders. I guess it was by October that meal times were my favorite times of day. You'd be surprised at how much you can learn around the dinner table, especially about the human body from other 20 year olds (Thanks Joe Merkley). As well, we would talk school politics, issues of race, upcoming parties, annoying girlfriends, what might have happened last night (because nobody really remembers), complaints about professors, complaints about schoolwork, complaints about Wabash, the Bell Game, going to the Cactus, what might have happened at the Cactus (because nobody really remembers), dumb internet videos (Dramatic Looking Gopher), jokes about each other, jokes about each others' girlfriends, jokes about alumni, discussions of Miley Cyrus, discussions of plans for the summer, complaints of football camp (during the Creighton era), adventures at Wal-Mart, upcoming Colts games, the Super Bowl, how much finals suck, Facebook and the hot girl that just friend requested you, IM sports, Townies, Kyle Grand's love life (or the lack there of), and Friday afternoon dance parties (yes, its exactly what it sounds like).

If you toss 60 guys in the room for lunch/dinner, that's what you get... and a lot more. I'm going to miss meal times so much. They really were the best part of my day.

I dont usually read my old works, but I've been really sentimental lately. I've been going through my old blogs. I am so lucky to have my entire Wabash experience documented. Its all right here before my eyes. In the haze and confusion of senior year, I'd forgotten the drama of pledgeship; I'd forgotten that I got hypnotized my freshmen year; I'd forgotten how horrible Formal was my first year; I'd forgotten about The Revolution; I'd forgotten how I hated the party scene first semester my sophomore year; I'd forgotten how I felt when I landed in Rome for the first time; I'd forgotten the struggles of Rhyneship.

How do you make these final two weeks last? How do you make the most out these memories? No matter how much you want time to slow down, it doesn't. I'm going to have to leave Wabash soon. This place is my home. I have to leave all my friends. They're my family. How are we suppose to say goodbye? How do you properly cap off four solid years together?

Suggestions???

Thanks to Dr. Horton, Dr. Cook, Dr. Salisbury, Dr. Lake, Dr. Timmerman, Dr. J Abbott, Dr. Bost, Dr. Baer, Dr. Blix, Dr. Hoerl, Dr. Byun, Dr. Stokes, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Brouwer, Dr. Olofson, Dr. Gunther, Dr. Schmitzer-Torbert, Dr. Benedicks, Jim Amidon, Cip Timmons, Howard Hewitt, LaToshia Everson, Laura Frye, Sherry Ross and everyone else I cant remember off the top of my head! Its meant a lot.

Next, I was elected to join Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society, celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. The Society sponsors activities to advance these studies — the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences — in higher education and in society at large. This is a huge honor! Phi Beta Kappa has been one of my secret goals since freshmen year. I've always wanted to be a member. I think they only elect people in the top 1/8 of their graduating class. This is so cool.

I'm glad  my work paid off.

This whole grad school ordeal has opened my eyes. Things wont always go to plan. You can prepare and study and submit your applications early, but sometimes thats not enough. Sometimes you just fall short of your goal. But I also believe that these things work out. For those who are talented and motivated, doors open when you least expect them. Things just have a way of falling into place, and it usually works in your favor. So, I didn't get into a PhD program this time. Now I have the opportunity to move to Texas. You never know whats down there... hopefully a future wife.

Today, Dr. David Blix delivered the Chapel address. Blix is an alum, and he is at Chapel every week supporting this great tradition. This morning, Dr. Blix reflected on memories of his father. Of the Chapel speeches I've heard Blix give before, this one was definitely more personal. Usually, in his very humorous manner, Blix retells stories of the days he was a student at Wabash. However, today he took a different route. He discussed his childhood and his relationship with his father. Today, he painted his own self-portrait for the campus to behold.

Of all the things I do at Wabash, I'm going to miss Chapel so much. I cant believe today was my last one. Chapel hour is sacred to me. I hate to think that I have to give it up and move on from Wabash. However, I'm glad to say that my final Chapel was with Dr. Blix. He always good, and he always leaves me with something to think about.

Little Five is this weekend and it was also on my bucket list. I'm so excite for that.

Although the Renaissance collection is amazing, I would argue that the most impressive is their impressionist collection. There are multiple rooms devoted to only Monet! My art professor told me that the French did not immediately appreciate Monet's artistic vision. But, the Americans did. Americans bought several of pieces, and that's how so many ended up in America. After Monet's death, the French tried to buy back the art works, but the Americans firmly said no. I really liked the Monets. To fully appreciate the beauty, you have to stand back from it. If you are too close to the painting, it just looks a mess.

After the art institute, we ate Girodano's pizza. It is the best deep dish pizza I've ever had. And I even took home a doggy bag. I'm going to have a fantastic snack later tonight.

I know the quality of the pdf is poor, but I'm really proud of the flyer! I'm giving a big research talk to the campus on Thursday. I've been doing this research for over a year, and I'm glad I finally get to share it with Wabash.

To be honest, I hate that the conference is this weekend. IFC held the bed races today, and I really wanted to see them. But when I think about, there is not one good weekend in April for me. Next weekend is my jazz concert and Beta formal. The following weekend is Little Five. If I had to miss out on a weekend, I'm glad this is the one.

Even more, all my friends are psych majors. Pledge bros Addrian and Bob are here. Phi Psi buddies Taylor, Tanner, and Matt are here too. I'm sure we'll find something fun to do tonight.

The only downside to watching the game in the Slippery Noodle is that it was a Michigan State stronghold. There were more Michigan fans than Butler fans in the bar. But by the end of the game, it felt like everyone was a Butler fan. It seemed like everyone was celebrating their victory. And that was just inside the bar! To say that people were being rambunctious would be an understatement. It was absolutely insane downtown when we were walking back to the car.

Once Brad and I dropped his parents off back home, we went to celebrate with the Butler kids in Broadripple. It was a good night.

Brad accompanied me through this whole event. Getting into the Wally costume is a two man job. After all the mascots were suited, the NCAA folks asked us to form a tunnel to welcome the players on the court. Once on the players were introduced, all the mascots were introduced too. When it was Wally's time for the spotlight, the announcer screwed up... she said he was from Wabash University! Can you believe that?

After our intros, they asked the mascots to go into the crowds to mingle. I had to have taken a hundred pictures with kids and families during this time. People just love mascots, even people who have never heard of Wabash. Every time I turned around, someone wanted a picture with Wally. The little kids even wanted his autograph... and let me tell you, Wally does not have good handwriting.

At half time, some mascots were selecting to participate in a dance off. Only the Div 1 schools got to compete. It seems that people are more likely to dance with mascots that they recognize. After the dance contest, I got out of the suit and sat court side to watch the remainder of the game. It was pretty cool. To be honest, the players weren't playing much defense; so, the final score was like 100-104.

Before the show, I also heard that Three-Six met up with several students. They sat down and watched the Butler and Kansas St game with them. I haven't heard of previous national acts doing that. I'm not saying this was my favorite national act, but it definitely wasn't the worst (Lifehouse).