It’s been a great run, but after three and a half years, it’s time for me to hand over the reigns of regular Wednesday columnist for the Lantern. But, I have loved every minute of it.From thank you letters to phone calls to hate mail, this has been one of the most beneficial experiences of my college career.I’ve tried to make you laugh, I’ve tried to make you cry, I’ve tried to make you think and I have even tried to make you angry. I think one of my biggest challenges and goals is not to necessarily strive to find solutions to our nation’s most pressing issues, rather it is striving to keep raising questions.One lesson I’ve learned: nothing is ever cut and dry.If the answer to, or scope of, a problem sounds simple, it’s probably not. Too many times we take unrealistic looks at situations and impose idealistic, but oversimplified frames around a set of issues, in effect limiting the likelihood of success we achieve in dealing with our problems. Hopefully, we will all continue to explore the many facets and complexities of our campus and national issues before 1) rushing to pass critical judgment and 2) offering solutions.Another lesson I learned: develop a very thick skin. Because seldom will people always agree with you and, when they don’t, they ‘will’ let you know (sometimes repeatedly), which leads me to my next lesson.Always clear the inbox on your e-mail account before writing something controversial.Thanks to everyone who supported me throughout the past few years. It’s not always easy saying things that may go against the attitudes of the aggregate population.Additionally, thanks to those who did disagree with me and took the time to write me or send a letter to the editor. In many cases, opposing perspectives helped me rethink my own stances and gave me perspective on an array of issues. Of course, some e-mails would have been more useful after they were printed and used as toilet paper, but I digress. Bygones.Finally, thanks to everyone, including the Lantern, for accepting me and my views for so long. It’s been a great run, it’s been a ton of fun, but now it’s time to move on to other things, 5-4-3-2-1.Thanks. Farewell.
Michael A. Norman is a senior journalism major from Cincinnati.