It’s an odd thing to simply wake up one day and be done with something that has played such a large part in your life. Soon, I’ll be ending my four-year career with The Baylor Lariat. Originally, I was going to write about that to end my time here, but I just couldn’t see anything more fitting than writing about the man who got me where I am today.

Look, everyone’s college journey is different, but it’s safe to say each member of the graduating class has a one-up saved in their back pocket for the “when I was a college student” conversations that pop up during family and work outings. On a more serious note, there is reason to celebrate, because the class of 2024 overcame unique hurdles to finally walk the stage.

When most people think fondly of summer, it normally involves hot days spent splashing at the pool, laughter from friends both new and old and the “cha-ching!” of a biweekly paycheck hitting your account. Sure — to most, working in the summer is an effort to fund another Cowboy Coffee for when you desperately need a pick-me-up. But if you give them the chance, summer jobs have more life lessons packed into them than you would think.

For the department of geosciences, rock collecting is more than just a fun hobby — it’s a career. On Monday, members of the Geological Society at Baylor shared their love for the field with others by hosting a rock and mineral sale at the Baylor Sciences Building.