Preface: this speech was given, as an assignment for an Advance Public Speaking class, on November 5, 2012

Good morning y’all and welcome to the University of New Hampshire. UNH was founded in 1866 as the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, serving the sons and daughters of farming and laboring families in Hanover, NH. New Hampshire College moved to Durham in 1893 by a wealthy and prosperous farmer to further develop into the campus it is today. Today Durham is home to a little over 15,000 wildcats, with 2,257 of them being graduate students. The university offers a huge variety of different bachelor programs. While the most popular are business administration, psychology, English and communications, the university also prides itself in developing successful young graduates in mechanical engineering, biology, and political science.

What sets UNH far apart from the rest, is its recognition of the students. The university does a nice job in putting the students first. My senior year in college I applied to a dozen schools, with the hopes and dreams of getting into one school, BC. When I received that rejection later from BC at that moment I thought my life was over, because I couldn’t see myself fitting in comfortably anywhere else. My decision to come to UNH was because of its business and hockey program. On Day 1 I was welcomed by a spirited move-in crew who helped me lug all of my junk into Williamson. I met my future roommates, no better yet my current best-friends at UNH and hopefully after UNH at our first floor-meeting. I walked into Coach Umile’s office demanding to be a part of his program. That was all done on day one, and ever since I haven’t looked back. Mostly because I haven’t had the time to look back because of the people you surround yourself with here in Durham.

I thought in college it was survival of the fittest, every man for themselves. I was completely wrong. Professional relationships have been formed with professors who aren’t just there to lecture you, but to assist you in any way possible to help you fully understand the material at hand. These professors truly recognize the cost of tuition yet understand the value of an education in the future. The advisers at the university put you first, listening to your dreams and goals and assist you in devising a plan that will get you to where you want to be in 4 years. The opportunities that I have been provided with here at UNH I don’t think I would have had at BC or any other school. Yet more importantly, the friends, faculty, coaches and professionals I have networked with along the way I will forever cherish and embrace. I have found who I am and what I want to be right here in Durham, NH.

If you want the most memorable and beneficial four years of your life, apply to UNH. Visit and fall in love with its campus. Step into a classroom and leave in awe or step out of your comfort zone in hopes of pursuing a dream. Thank you and hope to see you next homecoming!