“The key to college is finding the balance between the beer and the books.”

As much as I hate to admit it, this is not an original thought of mine but rather from a distinguished professor here at UT Martin that I visited as a senior in high school. Oh how true it has been.

Hi, I am Matt Crouch, and as soon as this issue is printed I will no longer be Executive Editor of The Pacer. This brings up mixed feelings as I wrap up what has been four of the greatest years of my life.

After nearly 140 hours of classes and $20,008.69, I am staring down 11 a.m. May 10, 2003 and wondering what is in store for me.

My immediate future is in place. As of May 18 I will be moving to Atlanta, Ga. to take an internship with the American Junior Golf Association in its media relations office. Once I am finished with that I will move to Bloomington, Ind. to take a job with the Indiana University Athletic Media Relations Office.

This is my 56th issue of The Pacer, my 43rd as executive editor. It has been a long four years and I never thought I would be sitting here writing this, but I am on my way out.

College has been a great experience. I think that I have experienced almost everything that UTM has to offer.

I’ve worked for the newspaper, I’ve worked in athletics, I’ve been an RA, I’ve been president of a few student organizations, I’ve been in a fraternity and I’ve made some of the best friends that I’ve ever had.

That is the one thing, though, that I will give most of my gratification to: my friends. Joe Cocker simply says, “With a little help from my friends.” Well, he is right. I have some of the best friends that anyone could ever ask for and I owe them so much.

I’m not going to begin naming any of them because I hate it when people give “Shout Outs,” and also because I will inevitably leave some out.

To all of you, thank you for being there, especially in this last year. I know that I haven’t always been around, but the fact that I know that you all are there means more than anything. And know that I am always here for you all.

College has taught me a lot and these experiences are the ones that give our lives the most substance. To quote former Executive Editor, Andrew Guinn, “This is our chance to mess up, learn from our mistakes and make changes to our lives that will stay with us throughout.”

The most important things that you will ever learn in college are not in the classroom. Not to say that classes are not beneficial, though I have taken some that were a total waste of my time.

Holding a job while in school, joining clubs, leading clubs and simple interaction with other students offers a greater learning experience than any classroom on this campus.

You people that hole yourself up in your room and go home every weekend are pathetic. You represent all that is bad and wrong with this university.

I have also learned that idle time breeds laziness. The people on campus that do the most are also the most busy. Want something done? Ask someone that has no time.

Most people do not realize that being in college is not a right. You don’t have to be here. Someone along the way has made the sacrifice for you to matriculate at this university and so many of us just shrug it off.

Make good on your time here. There is so much that you can do while in college, so much to do that you would have to spend better than a decade in school just to do it all. If you want someone to ask on this, go to Wil Hammond. He is hitting close to the decade mark.

I have been so eager to leave here that I’ve even had a countdown going since April 2002. Now it is almost here and I’m not sure that I want to leave. I know that I want to graduate, no doubt. If there is one thing that I am tired of it is class. Martin has been a great place to live. I’ve found out that my favorite places to go are The Pub and The Stables. Good beer, small crowds, and if you go to The Stables enough, they will remember you and have your beer waiting when they see you walk in the door.

I will also miss my brother: Sam.

Sam has been my best friend for 13 years now. If you ever want to see night and day standing side-by-side, hang out with Sam and I for a while. Sam will be graduating next May, God willing. It has been in Sam’s presence that I have had some of my most fun moments and also seen my life pass before my eyes. He is a loyal friend and is always there for me. I'm proud of you Sam, you've come a long way in the 13 years I've known you and you'll continue to go further.

Also, thank you very much to the Brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Only two weeks of my college career passed that I was not a member of SigEp. It has meant the world to me and exposed me to so many things I would never have seen otherwise. It showed me what true brotherhood is and how meaningful some relationships are. It is a comfort knowing that I am leaving this university in the Heart of Sigma Phi Epsilon. My brothers, thank you so much for the good times, the better times and the best of times.

Which brings me full circle: Friends are everything.

Now, as I close, I want to quote two great people: Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, “And now the end is near, So I face the final curtain, My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case of which I'm certain, I've lived a life that's full, I've traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way.”

Lastly, I just want to remind everyone of rules No. 1 and No. 4.

Forgettaboutit.

I never thought this day would come, but here I sit. I have had some great times and now it is time to go and see what life beyond these university walls is like.

Thank you UTM, thank you for all you have given me.

Bye UTM, bye Martin. Goodbye all.

Matthew B. Crouch is a senior Communications major from Paris. He served as executive editor of The Pacer for three semesters.