My love of people drove me into journalism at an early age. During my career I have had the honor of interviewing a Freedom Rider, a renowned feminist-activist and one of the nation's leading experts on the environmental justice movement. I feel lucky to be in this field. Every day I get to hear others' ideas and life stories. It's both exhilarating and inspiring. Nothing has honored me more as a journalist than Jake inviting to attend the University's annual award ceremony as one of his guests. Saturday afternoon he received a Centurion Award (given to 100 students for their dedication and service as student leaders) and the Todd Walcott Scholarship (presented to a student who contributes greatly to the LGBTQ community at the University). I sat among his friends and co-workers and for the first time since January, spent time with Jake in a non-journalist capacity.