I regret not going to Step Sing before this year. The competition, coupled with the camaraderie of the audience and participants, made for an exciting performance by some of UNA’s most talented student organizations (and faculty and staff members!).

More than that, though, I was overwhelmed by the sense of pride and appreciation I have to attend a university such as UNA.

When you get right down to it, we have the privilege of attending what is, in my opinion, an amazing university.

When I came to UNA, I was taken aback by the faculty and staff. I have never seen a group of professors and administrators more dedicated to student success.

I don’t know of many universities where students regularly interact with the administration or can stop by a professor’s office and just chat for an hour about what’s going on in their lives.

I also am continually impressed with the tight-knit community at UNA. While last weekend was a competition, all eight participating student organizations came together for one central cause.

Yes, we’re divided daily on a number of different things — age, major, organizations — but past that, we’re just +7,000 students who have (or should have) a deep love for UNA and our fellow Lions.

There is no better time to be a UNA student than right now: we’re in the midst of transitioning to bigger and better athletics programs, our faculty and staff members are working endlessly to strengthen our academic programs and RSOs all across campus are continually doing something for the greater good of this community.

You don’t have to be in every organization on campus. We’re more than the academic departments we find ourselves spending four years in. We’re UNA students and we should feel a sense of pride in that.

So, my challenge to you is this: be proud of UNA and the fact that you’re a student here. We have a great support system in the faculty and staff, as well as fellow students. Stand united and remember that even through our differences, we’re all part of the pride.