My Last Hurrah and Other Musings on Progress

Back when I was just a reporter and starting to write for the Trojan Times, Dan Crisler was my editor and I was still in the process of finding my passion as a writer. I had absolutely no intention of becoming the future editor of the Times at that point in my career. When I first applied, I remember Dan trying to convince me to take the available assistant editor position instead of becoming the campus reporter like I did. I had only just recently switched majors from Biology Education to English for New Media and I thought he was crazy for even considering to ask me. Dan must have seen something in me that made him think I was a good fit or maybe he was just really desperate at the time. I have no intention of finding out which answer is closer to the truth, but I do like to believe he saw my potential for growth.

It was a good thing for Dan and myself that I have developed a notorious habit of jumping into the metaphorical deep end when it comes to most things in my life. The whole sink or swim aspect seems to speak to something deep within my soul. I find that when there is a serious potential for failure that is when the rewards are most fruitful. The work will be arduous but the motivation to not only succeed but actually gain some new skills will be there in full force. Don’t get me wrong, it is entirely possible to find oneself dead at the bottom of the metaphorical pool. The potential for failure is always going to be there. Luckily, failure is just another starting point from which you can consciously apply the lesson you have previously learned to your future growth. Failure is the greatest teacher mankind has ever had in its corner. I was scared as **** when I took over for Dan, but I knew that the experience was going to force me to become better.

Now, with one semester left before I bow out, I feel like I have had my share of success. There is still more that I could have accomplished, but it’s not my work to do. It’s high time for me to pack my bags and find higher cliffs to jump off in pursuit of new challenges. Just like my predecessors, I’ve contributed my own piece to the overall structure of the Trojan Times. In the coming months, I will name my successor and hand the keys over to them in good faith that they will keep building in their own unique direction and add the next piece.

I would like to think that the Times grew as much as I did during my time at the helm, but that would be unfair. My own personal growth has far exceed that of the Times. So, I say to my successor and all of you, don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. If you want to find out what you are capable of doing, you can’t let a fear of failure keep you from going out and discovering your full potential. It will be worth the risk.

The whole experience has been more real than I ever could’ve imagined. It’s full speed ahead for the last hurrah.

Best wishes,

Dillon Dwyer