I'm old. I'm an old fart. A fogie. An old head.

A friendly pair of wrinkles has made a home on my forehead. My hairline is receding faster than the ocean during a new moon -- actually, it's not receding, but you could've fooled me.

On particularly lucky days, I've felt more like a U.S. president coming out of his second term than The Daily Collegian's outgoing editor in chief.

You remember those dark bags Clinton developed below his eyes.

Yes, it's been a relatively tumultuous, stressful -- yet entirely enjoyable -- year.

And truthfully, I have an exciting, youthful life ahead.

But some special people deserve a rousing applause for their contributions to my self-perceived, early aging:

Black Caucus, take a bow. Not only have you publicly called us the "worst university newspaper" in the country, but after accepting your demand for meetings with us (or scolding us), you elected not to use any of our dialogue. Thanks for using my time wisely!

Next up: Frantic and troubled Collegian staffers, step into the spotlight. I've seen more tears dripping in my office than I've witnessed in 22 years.

Personal problems I've never imagined handling became my job; often I acted as a shrink rather than an editor. Good thing I minored in psychology.

But for the joy in allowing me to work with you, improving your newspaper, and those lessons in management and life, I truly do thank you.

Aaron Matthews, professional filmmaker, please stand up. Your hundreds of hours of videotape for the upcoming, nationally televised Collegian documentary will surely cost me a few years of life.

When a camera (or two) is watching you almost every day, even embarrassing you at the gym, you're bound to do something stupid on tape.

I will pray the worst never ends up on TV, or at least that I've secured a solid career by then.

The award for most improved performance goes to the Undergraduate Student Government. Only my second semester on staff was spent covering you, but the agony shall live forever. Six-hour meetings debating parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules of Order should be illegal. Your members have become more cooperative with the newspaper, though, and for that I thank you.

Last but certainly not least: Chris Kovalchick, you deserve a standing ovation for performance of the year.

Contrary to popular conspiracy theories held by the Willard Preacher and other campus characters, I never expected your gay-bashing letter to elicit such a reaction.

We simply believed your opinion should be heard, just like everyone else's.

But, Chris, the 400 e-mails, along with the phone calls, interviews and constant discussion in the following days will certainly result in my dependence on Depends a few years early. So, I've learned a phenomenal magnitude this year about people. You can't treat individuals all the same way; that'd be like spreading manure over your flowers, garden and baby, expecting them all to grow.

Something different motivates, saddens, stresses or angers everyone. Most importantly, the hidden aspects behind each individual are utterly amazing to discover when you manage 190 students and act as a liaison to the entire community.

The hundreds of unique people I've met have rewarded me with the knowledge, relationships and lessons I normally wouldn't have gained for another 20 years.

For that, it was worth a few wrinkles.