“Graduating is bittersweet regardless,” McCredy said, as we laughed over our Wednesday night wings.
More laughs could be heard across the back row of the dimly lit Cobo dining hall. I waited patiently, eating my dinner, watching what felt like a line of people waiting their turn to talk to Anna and Claire.
They have each made the most of their time at Union; their names are known around campus and beg no introduction. Anna McCredy is a senior biology major and about to finish her third year of college. Claire Ward is a senior exercise science major and is also graduating in just three years.
“Well, I’ve been on the basketball team,” McCredy said, listing her campus involvements. “I’m the vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). I’m part of the Bridges Bible Study Leadership Team. And this year I’ve started volunteering at Hospice, which I love. Oh, I’m also in Chi Omega.”
“I’m in Chi O. I’ve done life groups and life groups leadership teams,” Ward said. “I’ve been in SGA. I’m the junior class president right now. Which is kind of interesting because I’m graduating early. I’m the captain of the Jillz. And Sigma Delta president, which is the Pews honors society.”
Almost like clockwork, someone approached our table and was warmly greeted with a smile. The intentionality in which McCredy and Ward listened to her spoke louder than any words they could have said. They have made friends with students seemingly across all groups, cliques, grade-levels and walks of life. And they have found an even more special kinship in each other.
They have made Union a “home away from home” of sorts, so why would they choose to cut it short?
“I flip-flopped back and forth like no one ever knew what I was going to do,” Ward said. “I also think money is a big part of it. I’m going to grad school, so I can spend my senior year’s worth of tuition on the first year of grad school.”
Money seemed like the obvious answer for Ward, to practically explain why someone might graduate early. She paused, trying to articulate her thoughts on the more complex desires for her choice to graduate in three years.
“I can either cram it into three years or stall and stay for four years. I didn’t want to stall. I feel like I would not be making the full use of my time,” Ward said. “It wouldn’t be the same if I stayed.”
McCredy had similar experiences. She had attended a private high school that prided itself in partnering with a local college to give its students dual credits and help expedite their students’ college experience.
Both McCredy and Ward are not just graduating to end their schooling early. Both women have an exciting opportunity on the horizon to further their education by going to grad school starting in May of 2024. McCredy will be attending Cedarville and Ward will be going to Samford.
“For me, it made sense. I was finishing my degree and I had post-grad aspirations. I was ready to direct my efforts and focus on other things, it didn’t make sense to me to just, stall,” McCredy said. “But I love Union, and I love everything that it has to offer. Which is why it’s so sad to leave, because the community here is so great. It’s just impossible to take that whole community. I have peace that I am making the right decision for me right now.”
In traditional growing pains fashion, the conversation ebbed and flowed from sharing the excitements of future plans to the stark realizations of all they are choosing to leave behind.
For them, college is far more than just academics, experiences or community. They spoke about how it was a matter of identity. The things, people and involvements at Union are simply one aspect of who they are, not all they are. Their wisdom showed far beyond their years as they talked about the ultimately transitory phase of college — their college experience has successfully served its purpose, and they are ready to grow in their next phase of life.
“I’m excited to be a little bit more independent. I feel like college is a middle stage,” Ward said. “Grad school will also be a middle stage. We’re still phasing in. We will be in school, it seems like a bigger step, but it’s not, it’s another little baby step into becoming an adult.”
McCredy nodded in agreement. To her, somehow, it feels as if they are cutting their experience short and prolonging it simultaneously. This train of thought was interrupted by excitement and laughter as they began listing some of the things they were looking forward to in the future, the biggest being a good night’s rest in the master bedroom of their new apartments.
“I think graduating early or not, whichever one is totally fine,” Ward said. “I think stalling or stretching it is good either way, depending on what you want to do after. So, don’t let anybody who’s graduating early pressure you into graduating early. Or anybody who’s staying, pressure you into graduating late.”
McCredy and Ward have humbly served the student body and left their mark on Union. Their friendship is just one of the many special things they will take away from their time at Union, and something that will far outlast this singular phase of life. Leaving something good for the potential of something great will always be filled with a complex cocktail of bittersweet emotions.
They have plans to make the most of their last few weeks here at Union by continuing to love people well like they have since freshman year. The change of pace will be well welcomed in May, through many tears, but they are taking time to savor the sweet moments they have now, like sitting in Cobo, eating wings in Wednesday night tradition.
“It’s just part of it, the grieving,” McCredy said. “But I’m excited. I know lots of good things are coming.”
