When I was younger, I kept a time capsule.  Every half year or so, I would write a little bit about myself and what was going on in my life at that time and put it in a box.  I kept the tradition going even as I got to high school and college since I know when I’m older, it will be thrilling to look back at what I wrote and who I was.

One of the more memorable things I wrote was that I wanted to be a journalist for ESPN, specifically. Ever since I was younger, I knew I had a talent of arguing, communicating and talking.  Although I had little journalism experience in high school, I knew I had to pursue it, regardless of which college I chose.

So when my counselor first suggested I look at the University of Missouri, I thought, “What? Where?” Although I wanted to get away from Florida, I wasn’t sure if I wanted my escape destination to be Missouri.  But dreams are dreams, and I never stop short of a goal, so I decided to give Mizzou a visit.

It was love at first sight.  I visited a few other schools that were known for having a journalism program, but my mind always came back to Mizzou.

From the tour of the journalism school (which was finishing renovation at the time) to the look of the football stadium, I knew Columbia would become my new home for the next four years.  Everyone smiled at me.  Everyone was wearing a Mizzou shirt.  Campus was just big enough but small enough where I knew I’d be able to find a family.

Since then, I’ve found a home away from home.  I found that we really have the best journalism program in the country.  And I’ve found that nothing beats a fall day on this campus.

Yet, I had my doubts; I was nervous to immerse myself in journalism.  But there was never a need for an adjustment period.  I never had an awkward moment situating myself here.  I dived into my journalism classes headfirst, and I haven’t looked back since.

Now as an upperclassman, I have begun to compile a large list of reasons why our journalism school is the best.  After interning in Washington D.C. this past summer, all I had to do was say I went to the University of Missouri, and people instantly knew why. The mere mention of being in the journalism program at Mizzou was a shoo-in to lead to more conversation.  Regardless of the work I will accomplish after I leave in four years, the fact that I will graduate from Mizzou’s journalism program already puts me ahead – that’s how phenomenal its reputation is in the journalism world.

The moment when it truly made sense was when I saw a large plaque on the elevators at the National Press Club. There I read the journalist’s creed, and at the bottom it read “Walter Williams: Dean, School of Journalism University of Missouri, 1908-1935.”