Lagniappe

Addie Ledbetter, Second Place Winner
2019 Future Alumni Essay Contest

I’m sure as you are beginning to read my essay, you are wondering why I entitled it “Lagniappe.” You may even be wondering how to pronounce the word or what it could possibly mean. Lagniappe [lan yap] – noun. Something given as a bonus or extra gift. Synonyms: Reward. Prize. Bonus. Incentive. Now it may be a little bit clearer as to why I chose the Cajun French word of Lagniappe to describe my experience at Trident Technical College. Now, let’s look at the definition of the word college. College – noun. An educational institution or establishment, in particular, one providing higher education or specialized training. Albeit, TTC does provide higher education and professional training for many students each term, it is truly so much more than that.

I started at Trident in the Fall of 2017 with one goal in mind; obtain my nursing degree. Like many students, this would be my second degree. I had just graduated a few months earlier from a small, private women’s college with a degree in Mathematics. I enjoyed teaching part-time to elementary students, but I wanted more, so much more.

After completing some of my prerequisite courses, I began my first nursing course the following spring. It’s funny how life’s experiences help change you as a person and every person’s path is different. I knew I was going to focus solely on school, so I could get in and out of TTC. However, Trident had a different plan for me. 

Coming from a small college, I was accustomed to knowing the college’s president. I don’t quite remember the location of my first encounter with Dr. Mary Thornley, but I was immediately impressed. She was kind, captivating, invested in her students, and motivating. Again, I had no belief that I could build the same relationships that I did at my previous school. Dr. Thornley quickly changed my entire outlook on TTC. I knew this experience was going to be more than what I had originally thought, lagniappe. 

After that first encounter with the president, I knew I had a duty to not only become involved on campus but to meet the many diverse faces that makeup TTC. Shortly after, I became involved in the Student Nurses’ Association, volunteered to play the piano for several TTC events, and engaged in further developing my on-campus relationships. Every event I attended, person I spoke to, donor I thanked, or class I attended, I knew my experience at TTC would be more than just getting a degree. One of the most important things I have learned is the value of building relationships and giving back like others have done for me.

Yes, TTC prepares graduates for the world, but more importantly, the world needs to be prepared for TTC’s graduates. I strongly believe that every degree or certificate that is offered at Trident is interconnected. In the community, we all work together - nurses, engineers, teachers, chefs, designers, artists. Jobs will be filled, but the overall sense of pride in our community will continue to rise as TTC produces graduates. We are attentive, passionate, skilled, and positive members of our community. Trident is to thank for that. 

Again, when I first started school, I just wanted to get in and out. Now, I want to make a bigger impact. In May of 2020, I will graduate with my Associates in Nursing thanks to TTC. Thank you to the faculty, staff, my peers, and Dr. Thornley. I will be a compassionate pediatric nurse with plans to further my education and obtain my Masters in Nursing. I also would like to mentor other nursing students at Trident to show them too that their experience is so much more than getting a degree. It’s a relationship. It’s community. It’s Lagniappe – a little bit extra.