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 Jaime Gonzalez thesouthtexan@ yahoo.com |
In the past three years, I have spent a majority of my time on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville in the offices of The South Texan.
Throughout the late Sunday nights, stressful Monday mornings and other midweek incidents may have caused me a lot of sleep and time, I can say that that it was always an unique experience that truly molded me and countless others as journalism students.
Throughout my undergraduate career, I have been able to work for a professional baseball team, a professional arena football team, been a correspondent for a major daily newspaper covering everything from high school soccer to world championship mixed martial arts fights.
I have been able to do all this due to the precepts sewn into my journalistic and professional foundation at The South Texan.
Three years ago, I was a part-time college student floating through the university.
Unsure of what I was truly looking for, I was wasting the opportunity A&MKingsville was giving me in an education.
Then I became a staff writer for The South Texan with my first assignment covering and taking pictures of the Javelina volleyball team.
From there I was able to get a job at the Sports Information department here on campus.
Without compromising my journalistic integrity, I have done everything I can to uplift not only Javelina athletics, but any other part of the university I was covering.
It was the least I could do for the school and newspaper that let me find my vocation and, instead of turning me away when I was not taking my studies as seriously as I should have, took me in as the prodigal son and gave me the opportunity to flourish.
For all the things I or anybody else can detract from the university, nobody can take away the opportunity it gave me and the love I have given it in return.
I would like to thank my fellow students that put in time with me at the offices of The South Texan.
We may have argued, yelled and caused each other a lot of problems, but we also joked, laughed and truly forged friendships and bonds that I can only hope with last a lifetime.
I would also like to thank Dr. Manuel Flores, who was the professor instrumental in getting me back on the academic path a few years ago. Not only has he taught me about journalism and communications, but has also been a friend and taught me important life lessons as well.
I would also like to thank Dr. Flores for putting up with me at times when I slacked off and would temporarily lapse back into my apathetic attitudes.
In the end, I would like to say good luck to the journalism students that will still be finishing up their education.
I know there are a lot of critics out there and sometimes you may feel overwhelmed writing for “just” the school paper.
The South Texan is more than that.
If you truly have a passion for this profession, take advantage of the opportunity to learn your craft.
The South Texan has been the starting point for many in the world of journalism.
I have faith that everything I have learned here will let me add my name to that list and I hope that I am not the last and that those after me continue the tradition.