Nike Ogunbodede

Associate News Editor

This summer while students are gallivanting across the country and backpacking across Europe, I will be here…in Charleston.

Truth be told, I am really, really excited. If you could see me, I would be doing a Bewitched-inspired jig. And my happy dance is because this summer I will be a Debut Leader—something I’ve wanted to be since I saw the bright smiling face of my Debut Leader, Courtney. She was awesome, and I remember thinking “Some day I could be that awesome and confident.” And this summer is that “day.”

My main concern was getting bored or wanting Panera or Jamba Juice. The horror of not having a pick-two combo of a turkey artichoke sandwich with a creamy tomato soup is almost unfathomable to me.

The suburbs have always been a shelter to me, and when I came to Eastern freshman year, my mother said I wouldn’t make it without a Forever21, Marshalls or Chipotle. She was wrong. I have complained immensely about the unreasonable amount of Subways in Charleston.

There are three: one in the Union, second street and Walmart. I don’t know how many $5 footlongs a town of 21,000 needs, but apparently for every 7,000 people, we need one low-cal sandwich. It’s weird, but I digress.

I think this summer is looking up, especially because I am going to be with a group of Eastern’s finest, who are just as passionate (sometimes annoyingly so) about Eastern. You want to know the teacher to student ratio? It’s 1:15. You think Livingston C. Lord was Eastern’s first president? Well, you’re wrong, and so was Wikipedia!

Samuel M. Inglis was named Eastern’s president, but died before taking office.

The point is that Eastern is full of so much history, and that history doesn’t stop just because the students go home. The Daily Eastern News keeps printing, classes still happen and professors are never too far away.

Tons of students and their guests will be flooding the campus, gearing up for the rest of their lives away from home. But even if you aren’t a part of Debut and you are all by yourself—feeling pathetic—there will still be tons of stuff to do.

Go to thrifting. Bowling. Have a movie night. This summer will be what you make it.

I’ll be working two jobs this summer, moving into Greek Court, taking my senior seminar and turning 21.

And I’ll be here with a smile on my face.

I’ll be ‘stuck in the Chuck’ and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].