By Torian Sitton 03.28.2014

“Sometimes you wanna’ go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna’ be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna’ be where everybody knows your name.”

 

These lyrics from the theme song of the hit television show, Cheers, perfectly reflect my thoughts and feelings about Milligan College. Milligan is a place where love is handed out like cotton candy at a carnival, and respect is shown to every individual like the prized possessions of an elementary school kid at show-n-tell. When I think about Milligan, I think about the MasterCard commercials where everything is for sale and all things have a price until the end, where we see finally something is “priceless.” This is how I will always feel about Milligan. The distinct values and set of morals that this school finds significant are one of a kind and priceless.

 

I’ve had the privilege to be a part of the Milligan community for five years. The wisdom and knowledge I have gained through my experiences, the good and the bad, will forever follow me and I will treasure them. I can never forget the people who helped me triumph and strongly supported me through acts of love, especially in moments of adversity.

 

Growing up in Hendersonville, N.C., I always wanted to play basketball in college. After signing my scholarship in spring 2009, I was on my way to a dream come true. I am thankful for the opportunity that Milligan and my coaches have provided me. But I’m more thankful for what my experience has taught me. Working hard is very important and diligence is the key. I’ve learned that there are many hard workers, but some work hard only for moments at a time and when trouble comes they often quit. With diligence comes patience, maturity and perseverance for longsuffering.

 

Throughout college, I’ve seen many friends disappear like deceased characters of an epic movie, whether they’ve graduated or dropped out. I’ve even had moments where basketball just didn’t feel the same. Just like everyone else, I’ve made many mistakes. I’ve had moments of loneliness, doubts and confusion. But God has supplied my every need through my friends. To me, this priceless.

 

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

-Philippians 3:12