How can one place, one organization, one group of people mean so much to an individual? That’s the question I’m confronted with as I reflect on my past three years at The Massachusetts Daily Collegian.

It’s incredible how one thing, so special, can define much of who you are. But not to mislead, I have no regrets.

I mean sure, I’ve missed out on standard parts of the college experience. I never got around to studying abroad, or to pursuing other extracurricular interests; and of course, I suffered the requisite GPA slide that comes with committing oneself to the Campus Center basement.

Yet, I wouldn’t do anything differently.

Serving as a staff writer for three years and leading the paper as editor in chief for two semesters have been incredible experiences ‘- incomparable to any other I’ve had. I’ve learned more about myself even in this past year than I have from any academic experience.

Looking back four years ago as I entered college as a young, naive freshman, I had little idea that three years later I would be leading New England’s largest college daily. In fact, I didn’t think journalism would characterize even the smallest part of my college career.

All it took was a simple sign at Worcester Dining Commons that expressed The Collegian’s need for a sports writing staff. I remember thinking to myself, ‘I like sports and I like to write, so why not?’ And, of course, this small twist of fate precipitated one of the best decisions of my life: to join The Collegian.

Along the way, I’ve created memories here that I’ll never forget. Whether it’s the many awkward confrontations with the chancellor while pursuing comment for budget stories; or the epic disaster of a trip to Cary, N.C., to cover the men’s soccer team with a grumpy Joe Meloni; or the many heated discussions about revenues, expenses and misstated financials I had with my business manager Alex Waszczuk in the war room ‘- several of which resulted in a few slammed doors, some unnecessary expletives and even a few tears.

But this past year was really something special. Not every day was a holiday, nor was every decision easy to make. But we did it. We had a fabulous year in all aspects of the newspaper despite having the cards stacked against us in many cases.

To our staff: I’m proud of where we came from and even prouder of where we went. We left this newspaper in a better position than where we found it. And to me, that is the true meaning of success.

To everyone I’ve worked with over the past three years, it’s been a pleasure sharing The Collegian as a home with you all. Though we come from different backgrounds and offer something different, we all have one commonality: a commitment to something greater than oneself; a commitment to making The Massachusetts Daily Collegian the best publication it can be.

Thanks for all of your hard work.

Everyone may not appreciate the job we do, but the level of commitment and effort our staff gives to this paper on a daily basis always astounds me. Knowing that, I’m confident that The Collegian will be an institution on this campus for many more years to come.

Michael King was The Collegian editor in chief. He is now officially retired.