Graduating Samford senior Megan Rose Byers found an opportunity for gratitude in a time of worry and uncertainty. Her mid-April note on LinkedIn sought advice for a move to Boston and highlighted transformative mentoring. We share it here with her kind permission.

Thank You, Samford
Three weeks from now, I was meant to walk across a stage and graduate at Samford University. Now, this is not possible. To my fellow 2020 Samford Bulldogs, I know this is hard, but I have faith in what is to come. Instead of looking at this unfortunate situation as a complete loss, I would rather take this as an opportunity.

This is an opportunity to first thank Samford. Samford grew my interpersonal skills, my curiosity for the world, and allowed me to gain valuable knowledge in multiple areas of study. Dr. Serena Simoni, Dr. Marissa Grayson, and Dr. Randolph Horn inspired me to always remain curious about the world around me. They challenged me to see perspectives other than my own. They helped me develop and execute my senior thesis, pictured above. Beyond that, I am incredibly thankful for my life-changing experience with Dr. Simoni in Barcelona, Spain.

Dr. Heather West and Dr. Mike Ledgerwood taught me to never stop working hard even if the challenge seems daunting. Learning a language is not an easy thing, but with their help, I am proud to say I am confident in my French- speaking abilities. I am thankful for the chance to teach French to lower-level students in my final year at Samford. My classes with Dr. West and Dr. Ledgerwood were my favorite classes at Samford. I admire them both as such hard-working, intelligent individuals who have dedicated their lives to bettering their student’s lives.

Dr. Clifton Eason and Mrs. Alice Holloway challenged me even further to stretch my knowledge to a different area of study. The Brock School of Business is an excellent school that provides students a chance to learn how to integrate themselves into today’s business world. I am thankful for my time spent during a spring break with a data collection team with Dr. Eason. Dr. Eason’s classes were some of my hardest classes at Samford, but they taught me the most. He taught me how to be an adaptable yet focused individual.

I have always been hungry to learn. I have never been satisfied with one line of study. Thank you, Samford, for giving me the chance to study international relations, French, and marketing.

This time in my life is also an opportunity for extreme growth. I am not discouraged by this time of social distancing. If anything, I am so excited and ready to get back to work. I am ready to start using these skills Samford University has given me. In the next couple of months, I am planning to move to the Boston Area. This is a new place for me. If you have any advice, connections, or experience in Boston, please reach out! I would love your help in my job search.

I thank the Lord every day that I had the opportunity to attend Samford. Now, I am ready and excited for what is to come. –Megan Rose Byers, Samford University Class of 2020