Nick Zotos | ads manager

I remember when I was a student in middle school, wearing Duquesne apparel to class. At the time, I did not know what the clothes really represented. Living in a quiet suburban neighborhood in New Jersey, I stood out every time I wore a shirt that read “Duquesne.” None of my classmates, or even teachers, had heard of the small Catholic school in Pittsburgh. In truth, neither had I. At the time, I could not even pronounce “Duquesne,” let alone find it on a map.

But my mother, a proud Duquesne alumna, had tons of memorabilia from her alma mater and was proud of the school she attended. Her enthusiasm and pride for Duquesne slowly, subconsciously, seeped into my everyday life. Eventually, my curiosity into the school unfolded.

It was my mom who first brought me to Pittsburgh when I was in high school. I remember the moments that made me fall in love with the city: my first Primanti’s sandwich, a double-decker bus tour and finally, a ride up the incline to Mount Washington. When I finally reached the top of the incline, I was able to see the three rivers connect just before the point. The wind was blowing in my face and the sun was shining brightly on the water below. I felt like I was on top of the world. I knew then that this was the city I wanted to call home.

In high school, I applied to several universities. However, it was Duquesne that stood out. It had strong academics, but it was also one of the few schools that truly reached out to me. Kathleen Roberts, director of the Honors College, believed in my dream of becoming a physician. With her encouragement and generous academic scholarships, Duquesne became an easy choice to call my next home.

Over the past three years, my experience has been more than I ever imagined. As ads manager for The Duquesne Duke, I found myself in unfamiliar territory. As a biology major surrounded by journalism students, I first felt out of place. I had never worked in a newspaper setting before, and writing as a journalist demanded a completely new set of syntax. Moreover, the journalism students wrote better than I ever could, and their command of prose far exceeded mine.

I was also different from them. Medicine demanded early mornings, and journalists thrived in the late nights. Medicine sought black-and-white answers, and journalists lived in the creative gray. But, after just one semester, I soon found my place among them.

Wednesday nights became a highlight of my week, providing me with an outlet to conduct non-science related work. I’ve learned more about journalism, creativity and leadership from my experience with The Duke, than I ever thought I would. I also gained friends who expanded my perspective and helped me grow.

Duquesne gave me opportunities I never would have expected. As a student here, I worked at a nonprofit combating food insecurity, volunteered in hospice care and received a truly outstanding education. As a Community Engagement Scholar, I was also able to further the mission of Duquesne by learning more about social justice and walking with others in serving the Hill District. Roberts was right: Duquesne helped me thrive and so much more.

Now, at the end, I always enjoy looking back at the beginning. I could not have graduated without the support of my mother. She was overjoyed when I chose Duquesne, proud to see me walk the same campus she once did as a member of Alpha Phi. While writing this article, I hope I’ve made her proud. I tried my best to follow in her footsteps, but I also was able to carve out my own path.

Thank you, Mom, for introducing me to this incredible university, and for everything you’ve done to support me. I could not have graduated or accomplished everything that I have done without your support. You have always been there for me when I needed your help and supported me every step of the way. I also hope I have lived up to your expectations. I promise to keep making you proud in medical school and beyond in everything I do.

As for my last article for The Duke, let me sign off the best way I know how:

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen and goodbye.

Nick Zotos can be reached at zotosn@duq.edu.