By Wendy Cartwright

Guest columnist

I will start this article by saying that I am not a follower of college sports. I have no opinion on the merits of any team.

With that being said, it is a funny thing that happens in Indiana households if a member attended IU or Purdue, or they are a fan of one or the other’s athletic program. The allegiance to the particular university becomes a part of their being. Their blood is red and white or black and gold.

When I was in the latter days of my junior year of high school, I applied to Purdue. I had no hopes of becoming an engineer or a veterinarian. I wanted to be a psychiatrist.

The reason I chose Purdue was because some of my friends were going to be attending the school. There may have been better options for a psychology/pre-med student, but I didn’t care. I was nervous about moving away from home and wanted to be near my friends.

To make a long story short, I was only in West Lafayette for a year and a half, but I made wonderful memories. I developed an allegiance to the area because of those memories and to Purdue by association. My friend Kim, who graduated from Purdue and now lives in Michigan thriving in a career that is a result of her time in West Lafayette, often visits the campus for various job-related duties. She sends packages from time to time containing T-shirts branded with her alma mater.

In December of last year, I moved in with a roommate. It wasn’t long until I came into the living room wearing a Purdue shirt. I didn’t think anything of it. I neglected to consider that my new roommate had graduated from IU. She didn’t care for my shirt.

In January of this year, I returned to college. I am enrolled at Indiana University Columbus, formerly known as Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus. That’s right. I am a student at Indiana University Columbus. I am determined to graduate, but the issue is that I will be receiving an IU degree.

I don’t have an issue with an IU degree. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to attend any university and I am excited to finally fulfill my dream. The issue is that I have to tell my friends.

Of course, I’m joking. None of my friends have a real issue with what college I graduate from. I did, however, purchase an IU shirt shortly after I became a student. My new roommate likes it much better than the Purdue gear that I also wear.

Wendy Cartwright hails from the North Vernon area and has lived there most of her life. She has a love of sharing her thoughts on growing up in the Midwest and other stories from her life. She spends her days reading and writing in the home she shares with her husband and chihuahua. Send comments to [email protected].