Font Size:

The new year has me reflecting on 2011.

Last fall, I was honored to be honored by my college, Southwest Minnesota State University, with an Alumni Achievement Award for personal and professional achievements. (It was called Southwest State University when I went there.)

My first thought is, "What have I done to deserve this?"  That was shortly followed by, "I'm sure there are plenty of other candidates out there."

Don't get me wrong, I feel very fortunate that I was nominated by those in my former Radio/TV departments.  I've been told that I'm the only alumni who has received a national Edward R. Murrow award.

That day sure took me back to a wonderful time.

My wife and I made the trip to Marshall, Minnesota, in September.  It was the first time we had been back to campus (That is where we met.) in more than a decade.  We stopped at a couple of our favorite downtown haunts and met with some friends.

At the school, I had the pleasure of meeting the current crop of students and gave a presentation on how their college experiences translate in the real world of television.  There was a luncheon with the three other honorees.  Speeches.  Memories.  Good times.

We saw several of the professors who helped mold us into adults.  It was great seeing them -- strange though, considering we're no longer treated as students.

We toured the old facilities that looked like nothing had changed in 20-years.  We also saw many new buildings such as the football field.  (A design based on the Creighton's soccer field, I was told.)

Back in the day, I ran the college radio station.  We also did a daily 15-minute newscast on the campus cable access channel.  I could easily picture myself as a teenager again since the studio and classrooms looked unchanged.

One thing became clearer with the visit.  I was reminded with just how much college shaped me.  I could go back in an instant.  I think back now -- why was I in such a rush to get a job?  I should have been on the 7-year plan!!!