Troy Sumpter's Senior Reflection

BREAKING NEWS – Hackettstown, NJ, this is my last year at Centenary University. Centenary has made me a better man since I arrived, and now, getting ready to graduate. I have had a lot of ups and downs during my time here, but I want to reflect on my time at Centenary.

When I first came to Centenary, I wasn’t scared of being alone when coming here, and I wanted to be someone better than my high school self. I was quiet and didn’t get to be as active as much. However, when I came to Centenary, I changed my life around and joined Omega Rho. Omega Rho has made a huge impact on me when my brother, Tyrese Fraser, who attended Centenary at the time, asked me to join Omega Rho. I was nervous about joining, but throughout the process, I’ve enjoyed meeting the people whom I call brothers.

I became president of the volleyball club in my sophomore year, and until now, I'm happy that I can do more with the club by having more events in the gym.

But going back to Omega Rho, I’ve won awards that I never thought about receiving; they reminded me of who I am and my purpose at Centenary. 

Joining Student Activities was a fun experience that taught me how to make connections, be diligent while working, and teamwork, and taught me about the responsibilities of having a job.

Joining the Cyclone Chronicle felt like a full circle. When coming to Centenary, I heard that we had a newspaper called The Quil, but it was stopped in 2018.  My professor, Janet Zatta, used to work for a magazine company and became the advisor for the Chronicle. I never thought that I would like to write for a newspaper until I took the class, and I really enjoy writing for them.

And for the past two years, I have been one of the inaugural members who helped make CycloneCon happen, from setting up tables to hosting and organizing the Super Smash Bros. tournament. That event really means a lot to me, because CycloneCon was my first ComicCon event I've ever been to, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

I’m going to miss Centenary when I graduate. I’m going to miss the friends I made over the years, good and bad but that’s the way life is. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I know that this chapter of my life was the greatest, and I can’t wait for the next one to be written.

CU later… Centenary!