Hasta luego, NCCU

Graduation time already, huh? It's the end of one chapter and the start of another.

Even though I came in as a transfer student and have only stayed here for two years, I feel like I've been around for four.

I guess that's how a good school is supposed to make you feel — like you belong.

It feels like yesterday I was in Dr. White's intro to mass communications class and forging friendships with people I'm still tight with today -- Aaron, Fitts, Erica, Dede and many others.

I have to admit that when I first stepped on campus I felt out of place.

As a nontraditional student , I was thinking all of my time is spent with students that come from a totally different world.

I mean I'd mention shows like Sanford & Son and how I idolized the A-Team growing up and I'd get these blank expressions — "The A what," they would say.

But after being around for a while and becoming active on campus, I started to look at my classmates more like family.

Using another analogy I looked at this campus like Hillman from "A Different World."

NCCU is like a carbon-copy with characters like Mr. Gaines, Whitley and Ron.

"It's a different world from where you come from." That's a bit of what college is all about.

I'm proud to say that I've graduated from N. C. Central University and I'm going to miss it.

I'll miss kickin' it with my professors like talking to dp about finances and what's the newest turmoil in the markets.

I'll miss talking the important things in life with Dr. Harrington-Austin (believe it or not it's not all about jobs and money).

I'll miss stopping in with Evans and talking about 80s TV or bugging Dr. Rountree whenever I see her on the 3rd floor.

I'm going to miss chatting with everybody passing in front of the communications building.

I'll miss grabbing a smoothie from Freshens and a chai from Jazzman's.

Remember what it was like when we were in between cafeterias? We were like a big family eating lunch in the trailer.

I had some really good times here and have a load of memories to reminisce on during future New Year Eves.

This is coming from the guy who several years ago didn't have any idea what an HBCU was. The since of tradition and camaraderie fascinate me.

That's why it pains me to see students beefing with each other and students and faculty bumping heads.

We may all be working together or hiring each other in the future.

I'm a firm believer in karma and what goes around coming back around.

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. Looking back on history, I totally agree.

It's almost as if the world has reverted back to 1939 and we're all waiting to see what's going to happen.

As a child of the 80s, I've been around the block a few times and I don't see things getting any easier.

If anything the future looks dim. If the past few years have taught us all anything, it's that nothing is guaranteed.

You never know when you may need each other so be civil and respectful – students, faculty and administrators alike.

For a former editor of the Campus Echo, I'm a man of few words and I don't want to ramble on about this and that. 

To sum things up, I'm thinking that it's an uncertain decade the world is headed into. But what's great about it is that the future's never set in stone.

What it holds is anyone's guess.

Everyone is looking to the leaders of tomorrow to solve the problems of today. Those leaders are being made here and now and it's up to all of us to ensure a better tomorrow for future generations.

I'm glad to be among them.

My advice: Don't bad mouth your school, classmates or colleagues. You never know when you might need each other.

There are thousands of people that would gladly trade places with you — just look at the misery and poverty around you.

My grandfather was a WWII vet and I respected him a lot. He used to say that you didn't tell anyone good-bye unless you knew you were never going to see them again.

He said you should just tell them "see you later." NCCU has become  a part of me.

Until we meet again — "See you later."

Carlton Koonce was editor-in-chief of the Campus Echo during the 2009-2010 academic year.