“I went to Western State College from 1978 to 1983. These were the best five years of my life as I majored in history and was three credits short of a major in political science. There were a number of professors whom I got to know as friends, and I savored those relationships for years. I not only enjoyed and achieved in academics, but I also got to know the community of Gunnison. One of the people I got to know was Al Smith, who I bowled with on his team. We often spent weekends fishing at Blue Mesa or the Morrow Point Dam canyon. Within that span of time, I made two trips to Russia, then the Soviet Union, as well as a five-month solo trip to Europe. Western State College will always be an integral part of my life for all the reasons mentioned above. Thanks for a beautiful experience which allowed for the balance of both richness of learning and a community within the town that gave many a pleasurable experience in tandem with education.”