Thanks to lifelong friends, family

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COURTESY OF RICK FLORES

Rick Flores is grateful for everyone whose made him the first in his family to graduate college.

RICK FLORES, WSU Graduate

Dear WSU, thanks for giving me the best four years that I have ever had.

I met lifelong friends, explored an amazing career and found my wife-to-be. If it wasn’t for Wazzu, I have no clue where I would be today. I learned to stand up for my beliefs and advocate for students as best as I can. Thanks to WSU, I joined my amazing fraternity!

Gamma Iota Omicron Fraternity Inc. has been there for me through some ups and major downs, and being part of this Multicultural Greek organization has been a major highlight of my college experience.

To my fellow 2018 United Greek Council members, we did it! We pushed and pushed to make our Multicultural Greek community the best in the nation and took home major national awards, and I am so happy to see so many of us graduating!

Shout out to my mentor, Stephen Bischoff, for pushing me to grow professionally and for guiding me down the beginning of my path as a student affairs professional.

Now the best for last, shout out to Dr. Troy Bennefield and the entire membership and staff of the Cougar Marching Band! You were all my first family at WSU and have given me amazing memories from so many athletic events, as well as many heart racing moments where I was left speechless!

The CMB is one of the finest groups I have been able to perform in, and I believe we do not get enough recognition for everything we do! If it wasn’t for the CMB, I would not have met the woman that I am marrying exactly two weeks after I walk across the stage! To mom and dad, I did it! First in my family to graduate from college, and I can’t thank you all enough for letting me move 1,200 miles north to Pullman to pursue my dreams! Thanks WSU.