I learned the true meaning of generosity. And I learned that having family is something for which I should be grateful. I learned that youth is a gift. I learned that I like beer. And I learned that in tough times, the support of a close friend provides an overwhelming sense of relief.
Sympathy counts for a lot.
And in the case of J.D. Jenkins, my good friend and former roommate, I learned that people can maintain friendships amid highly public disagreements. From my journalism professors, I learned that words matter. I learned that the media play important roles in an increasingly global society. And I learned that the media will survive only if they have intelligent, strong, compassionate and ethical people working for them. From my fellow students, I learned that college life is a blast.