-: It was and continues to be a,
place that will forever be home to me.
I came to Duluth, I was born here in Duluth
and then I came to UMD to tour it as a highschool student,
and I thought Duluth would be the last place
I would ever go because it's so close to home
and I wanted to get out.
But I knew that once I walked into the doors
that I just walked through, that,
this place felt like home, and it always has.
And I studied in England through
the Study of England Program here at the university
and that was really a profound, life changing opportunity.
There's some wonderful study abroad
opportunities for students here.
And then moving on to leaving the campus proper (laughs)
just a few miles down the hill,
to then go to Glensheen Mansion,
which is still part of the university
so it's always been a home for me.
And Duluth and UMD is home,
and there's been some wonderful, kindred spirits here
that I've met and mentors that I've had along the way.
And I know that all of those connections
that I made not only within the community
but also within campus are really
why I'm here today and I'm so thankful.