As the Class of 2010 prepares for graduation, seniors take a moment to reflect on how the Syracuse University experience has shaped them as a person. A lot has changed since they first stepped on campus in 2006. The seniors have become products of their environment. They have forged families, learned life lessons and even changed their names, all within four years.

‘I think I’m much more open to do things that I typically wouldn’t have done. I’m a lot friendlier, I’ve learned about human interactions, about life and about school, too. But it’s really opened my world to a lot more that may not have been possible at a different institution.’
— Mussadiq Akram, chemical engineering and international relations major

‘By junior year, people started referring to me by ‘Lady Sara.’ This thing has gone so far that at the senior fashion show it said on the stage my name was Lady Sara Armet. It’s a new chapter, it’s about branding. I have to be creative — I’m a fashion major.’
— Sara Armet, fashion design major

‘I had my last show on Citrus(TV) last Friday and it was the most real feeling to be leaving there. I really developed a family there, and every aspect of my life has been enhanced by being at Citrus.’
— Stacy Lang, broadcast journalism major

‘It’s kind of crazy. When I came into college I was a leader, but now I feel I understand people better and help empower others to make things happen. I’ve learned a lot about crisis management and how to manage situations and get people excited about what they’re doing. If you told me four years ago I would be working for an advertising agency I wouldn’t be shocked, but a little surprised. You plan for things and then plans change. It’s not what I had in mind when I came to Syracuse, but it should be fun and very exciting.’
— Jim Armstrong, advertising major

— Compiled by Rebecca Toback, assistant feature editor, rltoback@syr.edu