Going home after four years in central Pennsylvania

The Digital Collegian (Penn State) ^ | Monday, April 28, 2003 | Kahlil Smith

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

Ah, good old PSU. You've taught me how to use my brain to get money out of others, but not before you got as much money as you could out of me. I grudgingly respect you for that.

Heeding the old American proverb, I will now go back to wherever the hell it is I came from.

The formalities of education are finally out of the way; time to get cracking on this debt. I'm done living for my parents' expectations; now I live for my bills. With luck I will find the courage and independence to live for me doing something I love in some sweet employment. Down the road I might even be able to afford that trophy wife I've always wanted.

I told myself that I came here from New York because I wanted to see what life was like outside of the environment I grew up in. In reality I'm not sure why I came here. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe I really liked the football uniforms.

I was a silly high school kid, and now I'm a silly college graduate. Between the education and the women, I feel I can go home and say with confidence that my time out here wasn't a complete waste. Though most of it feels like a blur, there were a couple of things that stood out.

The party scene would have to be at the top of the list because, after all, we party so smart. You facilitated, nurtured and encouraged my destructive behavior, and for this I am eternally grateful. Those underhanded ways you found to fine me for it, however, were not cool.

When it comes to cheap or free booze, no one quite does it like State College can. Where else can I buy a beer for a nickel and catch my favorite cover band? I'm just glad I'm jumping ship before that beer tax kicks in and you younger students are forced to choose between beer money and book money.

It wasn't only how I partied, but who I partied with that stuck out. In a town so inherently segregated, I had to make a conscious decision before I left the house of whether I felt like hanging with the blacks, whites, Asians, Hispanics or Indians. It's a little ridiculous, but I suppose it's a reflection of the country we live in. Oh well, we'll always have the corner of Allen Street and Calder Way, or as I like to call it, "Beer muscle central," where being a jack-ass knows no color.

Aside from substance abuse, another highlight of my Penn State experience would have to be the Pennsylvanian. Alas, what a kooky lot of characters you are: technically not trailer trash, but not above taking a pitcher of Keystone to the head, either. With your chipped ham, no-bake cookies, scrapple and taxmemore.org, there is no telling what Pennsylvanians will come up with next.

I'm not saying that for the most part you are nothing but a backwards, pseudo-sophisticated bunch of yokels, because that would be wrong. You have a couple of admirable traits. Pride and a sense of history stick out to me the most. I've met a lot of interesting, good people here who I would have never crossed paths with in the real world. I can say I'm a better person for knowing them.

One thing I will never understand though is the rivalry between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In a world where there are always bigger fish to fry, you're bitching over whose teams suck the least. You two really need to get over this difference in geography, if not for yourselves, then for all the people living just outside of you (which is nothing to be ashamed of, of course).

I've probably asked myself a thousand times before getting up for my 8 a.m. classes why I was here. Not Pennsylvania, but school in general. Is this the path for me? Do I even have a choice?

In one breath we idolize those self-made individuals who never intended to get a college education while in another everyone else is told this is what you have to do to make it in the world.

Though a degree might guarantee you'll be in a place that at least has air conditioning, it does not guarantee success. In fact, you can even have a master's degree and still be a loser.

I know some come to Penn State with a genuine passion and thirst for knowledge in whatever field of study, but I'm sure a lot more come here just because they are trying to get paid.

Whatever the reason, much like the opinions of those who aren't running the country, it really doesn't matter. Receive your multi-thousand dollar piece of paper and move on with your life.

Kahlil Smith is a graduating senior majoring in journalism and is the Collegian's online editor. His e-mail address is kas395@psu.edu.

[Willie Green]

I've honestly believed that it was darn near impossible to spend 4 years in Happy Valley and graduate with a miserable attitude. But I suppose if one really focuses on being bitter and resentful, it IS possible.

[ScholarWarrior]

He was the one who went to the party school.

Only took him 4 years to figure it out.

[martin_fierro]

Down the road I might even be able to afford that trophy wife I've always wanted.

This guy is deep.

[mewzilla]

...majoring in journalism...

Sounds to me like this guy's problem has very little to do with where he is.

[Incorrigible]

Maybe he spent a lot of time writing about rail transportation in PA and just got frustrated and burnt out.

:-)

[CatoRenasci]

Even for having attended a public party school (one wonders what his range of college choices was), he seems remarkably obtuse. A clear example of a waste of the taxpayers' money. His place at Penn State could have far more profitably been used by a new immigrant with drive and ambition to study engineering, physics or computer science.

[cynicom]

Another party goer with a BS degree, and now he knows what it stands for.

[OutSpot]

"The party scene would have to be at the top of the list because, after all, we party so smart. You facilitated, nurtured and encouraged my destructive behavior, and for this I am eternally grateful. Those underhanded ways you found to fine me for it, however, were not cool."

What a Looooooooser. "we party so smart". Did you pour your beer in a Sprite can? Did you keep the volume down and curtains closed?

This person was way too involved with the "Intellectual" crowd.

Long live Happy Valley......

Braver Stadium! Arts Fest Parties! Sneaking into Frat parities while being a freshmen! And just 'ol watching the sun set with a bunch of friends who are still friends for life!!

I recommend Kahlil Smith go back to NY and start writing columns about Hilldabeast in the NY times!(Bet his rents paid for his whole ride)

WE ARE PENN STATE

[Cricket24]

I completely agree with you. There is no better place to get an education that PSU. It's a great place. I can't believe that guy actually stayed there for four years!!
What a rotten attitude!
Pennsylvania is a very diverse state. As a Pennsylvania, I feel insulted.

[CatoRenasci]

It is indeed hard to be sympathetic with this clown, who obviously derived limited benefit from his education.

[PA Engineer]

There is no better place to get an education that PSU.;-)

[codder too]

Is the "N" missing from your keyboard????? IE....ThaN and PennsylvaniaN.

[Krafty123]

PITT RULES!

[ScholarWarrior]

how sophomoric.

[ntnychik]

"In an inherently segregated town..." IMHO, this depends on one's perspective. I attended PSU in its first year of affirmative action. In my dorm, the new minority students, upon arrival, demanded and received their own floor. I was forced to move to accommodate, but it was OK. Due to cultural needs for boomboxes, the dorm's quiet hours were abolished. The new students appropriated one of the dorm's study lounges. Well, I could study elsewhere, so nevermind. Events organized to welcome the new students were unattended. Our dorm was set on fire and evacuated three times...protests of one kind or the other. I moved out. Same year the minority students across campus asked for a building of their own for socializing and meeting with each other. Granted. Since then, additional segregated areas have been provided to other minority groups upon request. The facilities have grown and improved over the years. They are now a point of pride in diversity, and a recruitment tool. In State College, anyone can live anywhere. Some choose to self-segregate.

[Willie Green]

The facilities have grown and improved over the years. They are now a point of pride in diversity, and a recruitment tool.

IMHO, one of the most inappropriate facilities on campus is the Paul Robeson Multicultural Center.
Now Mr. Robeson was a very talented and accomplished man, deserving of historical recognition (despite being an apologist for Stalinist communism.)
But he was an alumnus of Rutgers and Columbia Law School.
To the best of my knowledge, he had absolutely nothing to do with Pennsylvania or Penn State's heritage.
IMHO, they should've named the facility after somebody like George Washington Carver. At least then there'd be an agricultural link to Penn State's roots as a Land Grant college and notable contribution to agricultural science.

But Paul Robeson??? Bleeeccchhhh....

[Krafty123]

Ah, but I am a Freshman!

[JulieRNR21]

FYI....PING

Thought this might be of interest to you.

[zook]

I've lived in Happy Valey for nearly 9 years now, not counting these past 8 months. It's a beautiful place to live and raise kids except for four things:

1. The local cops won't cut you a break and the fines for simple traffic violations are extreme.
2. People don't know how to make a left turn on a yellow light.
3. Beer, wine, and liquor laws.

and most troublesome

4. YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO USE A FLOAT TOY (e.g. tube, air matress, etc.) IN A STATE PARK SWIMMING AREA.

Oh, now this brings me to the bad attitude of most of the fish and game officers, but I won't get into that now!

[lurky]

4. YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO USE A FLOAT TOY (e.g. tube, air matress, etc.) IN A STATE PARK SWIMMING AREA

Damn, that really sucks! (not being sarcastic, neither)