Ostrowski, out

This is my last column, and there’s been a trend through the years that seniors get to write a sappy, self-serving little piece and pretend it fits within the realm of journalism. I’m doing just that.

I’ve never been good at writing thank you notes.

My handwriting looks as if I learned the alphabet from a barnyard hen, and I never want to put the money toward stamps because email exists, and that’s free.

But I recognize their value, and because I’ve been given this platform, I’d like to write a thank you note.

My first huge thanks goes out to IU — the institution, the departments and the professors.

I know I was hard on you — on this platform specifically — but it was never out of malice. You never failed to stimulate my thinking.

And to all of you who have ever felt you are better than this University, you know it’s not true because you’re hungry for more knowledge and more experience, and you wouldn’t be feeling these things if you weren’t aroused.

Thank you to the Indiana Daily Student for giving me this platform for three years, and thank you to all of the student groups I’ve been a part of throughout the years.

The fact that IU is able to trust so many student organizations to be independent is pretty remarkable — not every university does that.

The drive I have seen in students creating, producing and distributing their own work with pride and grace has perhaps been the constant, most formative virtue I’ve experienced on this campus.

It’s often forgotten, but thank you to all the teachers who got me here.

You can’t get through college without some sort of foundation, and I would never be where I am today without your original instillation of both educational style and sass.
I would be remiss without thanking all the friends I’ve made here.

You’ve been the best group of asshats around. You have also been a testament to this University and how talented students can be — you have all amazed me countless times.

Finally, thank you to my family. Of course I mean my immediate family that continues to be my sticking place, but also the almost 10 other mothers and supporters I have back in Western Springs, Ill.

It’s easy to become self-centered and lost in academics in college, but I’ve never forgotten all the help and joy you’ve given me.

So, what can you actually get from this? Very little.

Or maybe the takeaway is realizing that this University isn’t so bad, your parents aren’t so strict, and you’ve got a pretty damn good life here at IU.

Spend some time thanking others before graduation, and then you won’t need one big column to do it.

Goodbye, Bloomington. And thank you.

sjostrow@indiana.edu
@ostrowski_s_j