The end of school is rapidly approaching.
The last several days I have found myself thinking about IVCC and how I will be going away soon since I was recently admitted to University of Kentucky for Chemical Engineering.
IVCC will be just another mile stone on the facebook “timeline” of Brad Cockrel.
It is curious to consider that all of these things will soon come to pass.
You may try to stay in touch with old friends and contact will gradually fade while contact with new friends is gradually made —  although I hope this will not be the case it’s a statistical likelihood.
When you walk out to your car after the last day of class there will not be any victory music or dance party, at least not likely. Maybe I’ll put that on the Student Government agenda; Host dance party after the last Spring Semester final.
Either way, after finals there will be no bang, but a whisper.
That whisper may say, “come on. keep going. Two more years somewhere else and your off to the ‘real world,’” “Now I finally have that certificate,” or “Now I can get that promotion.”
These examples, of what may be going through our respective minds, may be different for each person, and they don’t all have to be positive.
But, I think a general theme in everyone’s mind is that their experiences at IVCC edified them and at the very least, will help them get someplace they want to be.
Originally when I considered attending community college I thought I only wanted to go to a bigger school.
However, after it is all said and done I am very grateful I had the privilege of attending IVCC.
People like Mr. Pecherek, Cory Tomasson, “Doc” Dr. Johll, Sarsah, and  Herr Michael are only a few examples of  teachers who have played a important role in guiding me along my way.
Student Government and Phi Theta Kappa were also awesome student organizations to be involved with. I think that if more people get involved at IVCC, the more value they might see.
The message I want to leave with all of you is a latin phrase: “Dum vita est, spes est” which means, as long as life is, hope is.
I am not going to be overly optimistic and say we will all live happily ever after. However, I want to leave you guys with the encouragement that even if things are rough, if you’re sleep-deprived, overworked, and feel trapped, things will get better.
As long as you continue to live you can continue changing yourself and the world around you for the better.

Editor’s Note: This is Cockrel’s final column as student representative on the Board of Trustees.