91猎奇

Family is at the forefront of Georgia Southern computer science major Tracy Bridges鈥� life, and his upcoming commencement is no different. Bridges鈥� family, all 60 of them, can鈥檛 wait to see their graduate walk across the stage.

鈥淕raduating is the biggest accomplishment I could achieve right now because it鈥檚 something that I told my grandparents I would do every time I visited them, and I pushed myself to do this for them and for my family,鈥� Bridges said. 鈥淢y mom鈥檚 mother, who lived to be 99 years old, almost made it to see me walk across the stage, but she passed away earlier in the year. It fueled me even more to ensure that I make all of them proud because they made me into the man that I am today.鈥�

Bridges, who is from Macon, Georgia, has family spread across the country. His mother is the youngest of eight children, while his father is the youngest of 14, and he鈥檚 found a close-knit friend group at Georgia Southern. His family and friends are important to him because they have provided support during his college career.

鈥淭o have so many people coming feels truly amazing because it lets me know that I have made amazing choices with the things that I鈥檝e done in my life,鈥� Bridges said. 鈥淚 feel all the love and respect that they have toward me, and I couldn鈥檛 tell them thank you enough for the support.鈥�

Bridges has secured a job with Robins Air Force base in his hometown after graduation, but the first step of his post-commencement plan he jokes is to sleep for two days. The second step is spending time with friends and family, a lot of whom he met at Georgia Southern.

鈥淚 have friends that I don鈥檛 truly remember how we met, but they are the closest thing to family that I have here,鈥� Bridges said. 鈥淚 have friends who I don鈥檛 know what their names are, but they will always have my back no matter what. I have friends who graduated before me, but they will come back to see me and catch up.鈥�

Bridges said Georgia Southern鈥檚 family atmosphere and hospitality is perfect for someone who holds friends and family at such a high regard like he does.

鈥淭he people that I鈥檝e met are truly amazing, and without Georgia Southern I would have never come into contact with them,鈥� Bridges said. 鈥淕eorgia Southern introduced me to my loving and amazing girlfriend and for that, I am forever grateful. Without Georgia Southern my family could be very small, but now it鈥檚 bigger than ever.鈥�