This past Saturday Anthony and I took a quick road trip up to Philly in celebration of the University of Pennsylvania’s alumni weekend and the class of 2011’s 5th year reunion.
I can’t even believe it’s been FIVE YEARS since we graduated from college! Where does the time go? Regardless, my 5th year reunion presented the perfect opportunity to FINALLY show Mr. UMass around MY school! We went to Boston and Amherst back even before we got married and he showed me around his campus, so now it was my turn.
Of course, there was a requisite stop at the BEST food truck in the city (not up for debate, I’m speaking truth), GiGi & Big R’s Caribbean Soul Food truck, conveniently parked right near the high rises on 37th & Spruce. Anthony was leery of food truck fried fish at first, but it is simply THE BEST! Oh and those candied yams? It almost doesn’t get any better. Forget a cheesesteak. This is an absolute must.
Guys, the truth is I have been incredibly blessed to attend some of the very best schools, from elementary school through graduate school. My time at Penn was a time of self-discovery and rigorous learning that has truly shaped my ability to live my purpose both in my walk with God and in my career.
Upon graduating high school, I was DETERMINED to leave home and go to college elsewhere. I had my sights set on a sports management degree from the University of Miami, but (per usual) God had bigger plans. Never had I EVER even considered applying to, let alone attending, an Ivy League school. If you asked me anytime around 10th or 11th grade, I wanted to go to a big school with a top athletic program and well-connected and established sports business/sports management program so I could enjoy all the games while I was in school and come out ready to be an A-list sports agent.
Ironically, I never even applied to Miami. In February of my junior year of high school, my dad flew me down to Atlanta to attend a Wharton alumni event with a friend of his. I had absolutely zero interest in going, 1) because I knew nothing of Penn and had no interest in attending college in a city that experienced winter and 2) because I H-A-T-E-D networking (it still makes me nervous!) and this would be the equivalent of throwing a guppy into a shark tank–seriously, a high schooler among grown up Wharton alumni? I wanted to cry. Nevertheless, I went.
The keynote speaker for the event was Professor Ken Shropshire, who had no idea what was coming when he met me. 🙂 He talked about the recently launched Wharton Sports Business Initiative and all the amazing research and consulting projects students and alumni were involved in with some of the best brands and properties in the industry. From the moment he concluded his presentation, I was convinced I would be attending Wharton.
The deal was sealed when my dad hijacked my junior year spring break and dragged me on a college tour instead of letting me go to the beach as I’d planned. We visited Princeton, Columbia, and Penn (all Dad’s choice). As soon as I stepped on Locust Walk, I knew Penn was home. It simply had to be. The vibe on the campus and the unrivaled undergraduate business program were everything I wanted (minus a beach) and I was sold.
A few SATs, ACTs, several essays, interviews and countless prayers later, I was accepted to Wharton, early decision. It was probably the biggest blessing of my life til that point, because attending Penn was truly a transformative experience for me. From the beautiful people I’ve met, the lifelong friends I’ve made, the invaluable mentors I’ve gained, and the amazing education I’ve earned, it all adds up to an experience I wouldn’t change for the world (except OPIM. I’d definitely change that. Ugh!)
Some of my favorite memories: Spreading the love and truth of Christ with the New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir, study abroad with my bestie Alex in Italy, gathering at Philadelphia City Hall with hundreds of students and praying for a newly elected President Obama, and of course, GRADUATION (because, WE MADE IT Y’ALL!)
I learned so much about myself, grew infinitely stronger in my faith, and had my eyes opened to a world of possibility when it comes to impacting the sports industry for good and empowering athletes and others alike to use their platforms and influence to make a positive difference.
Being back on campus this past weekend reminded me just how truly blessed I am. It was only God that got me to – and THROUGH! – that school, and it’s by His grace that I’ve grasped His vision for how I can apply all I learned there to help others build lives, careers, and organizations that leverage purpose for positive impact on this world.
It was great to see old friends and be back on campus again. I look forward to many more opportunities to visit Penn, and I want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who graduated this past weekend!!! You made it! Now go change the world.
PS: Shoutout to my good friends whose Facebook photos I borrowed to populate this post! Ha! Love y’all!