As this Independence Day comes to a close, I am reminded of the enjoyment that comes from watching fireworks and celebrating this grand day.
For some, the 4th of July is just another day on the calendar, yet for those of us still in school, it marks the middle of the summer and reminds us that our break is about half over. Except for those of us taking summer classes, anyway.
In just under two months, 7 weeks to be precise, I will be starting my 4th year of PhD studies at Purdue University. If all goes well, I will be done with all of my course work by December and only have to work on my dissertation for the last year and a half. This is an exciting time for me, as I will be the first in my family to achieve a PhD degree and I hope that by making this achievement, I can be a role model for my sister and her kids.
This is a dream come true for me and I have had to fight for this dream. The United States of America was a dream 235 years ago and we have had to fight for that dream ever since as well. For me, Independence Day is our way of showing that we will do whatever is necessary to keep our dreams alive.
Cheers, Edward G. McKeown
