Journey to Success by University of Jamestown

Journey to Success

UJ Alumni Success

Your success. Our tradition.

Education is an Investment

For 130 years, students have invested in University of Jamestown financially, personally, and intellectually. And University of Jamestown has, in turn, invested in its students, providing a personalized, student-centered approach to education. For the last several years, this approach has been known as the Journey to Success, but the Journey essentially spans the entire history of University of Jamestown.

A Value-Added Education

The Journey to Success defines all we do at University of Jamestown, both in and out of the classroom. With self-assessment, advising, mentoring, career counseling, a guaranteed internship and a four-year graduation guarantee, the Journey is University of Jamestown’s way of ensuring our students’ investment will pay dividends throughout their lifetime.

Prepared by the Journey

On the next several pages, you’ll meet recent University of Jamestown alumni who are continuing with their journeys while building on the skills and experiences from their University of Jamestown Journey to Success. This is just a sampling of the many journeys launched by University of Jamestown. All of our alumni have stories to share about how University of Jamestown shaped them, professionally and personally.

Quote from the President: “I have often mentioned that my earliest impression following my arrival to the campus in 2002 was that ‘Jamestown College has been building character since 1883.’ I was referring, of course, to our commitment to ethical values, but ‘character’ runs beyond that to encompass the development of the whole person, the commitment to vocational calling, and a life well-lived. ‘Your success’ as students and alumni is a reflection of the character-building experience here. In a world where leaders increasingly speak only of dehumanizing ‘workplace development,’ we stand for the values of a liberal arts education, knowing that our graduates find success in careers and in life. When we say ‘Your success, Our tradition,’ we express our faith in you and in the work of this great institution of higher learning.” Robert Badal, President, University of Jamestown

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’09 ’11

and

• Amazima Ministries, Uganda • Young Alumni Medallion recipients

Chris and Jacqueline (Watts) Kramlich As medical and media coordinator for Amazima Ministries International, Jacqueline (Watts) Kramlich ’11 doesn’t have a typical routine.

“Years later, across the ocean, in different countries, I call them up and they still continue to teach and guide me. How many schools can offer that kind of lifelong learning?”

“I can find myself rushing someone to the hospital and being the intermediary between doctors, hospitals, and treatment plans on one day and following a child into a deep village to film a story the next,” she says. “There is definitely not a normal looking day for me.” Amazima Ministries is an organization that sponsors nearly 700 children in the village near where Kramlich, her husband, Chris ’09, and their four children live in Uganda. Chris oversees Amazima Ministries’ farm project. “We run a small demonstration farm and hold farming classes for parents and guardians of the kids in our sponsorship program,” he says. A University of Jamestown nursing graduate, Jackie says seeing the same child who was once riddled with disease now healthy and thriving is perhaps the most rewarding thing one could experience. “It is truly an honor to be a part of it,” she says. “At Jamestown, one of the most important things that was given to me was a sense of empowerment. I now have an obligation to pass that on to others.” Chris agrees that passing on empowerment is one of the most significant things they can do for the people of Uganda. “One of the biggest rewards is watching people get really excited about farming and seeing the results

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of their hard work,” he says. “My goal is to hand over all responsibility for the farm and training program to our Ugandan staff at the end of our contract. They have been working extremely hard and are learning fast.” As a religion/philosophy graduate, Chris says Dr. Brian Lang and Dr. Stephen Reed both prepared him well for working with people from different backgrounds. “They both did a wonderful job of teaching patient thoughtfulness,” he says. “I’ve discovered that working in another country requires a great deal of understanding for people, cultures, languages, and customs different from your own. My time at University of Jamestown and the liberal arts setting definitely helped prepare me for my work here in Uganda. My Ecology and Man class with Dr. John Brauner has come in handy numerous times with the farm work!” Jackie says she always feels free to contact her mentors in the Department of Nursing when she needs guidance. “Not long ago a friend of mine was in severe septic shock and the doctors here were clueless as to what we could do,” she says. “I called up (assistant professor) Bethany Mello in tears and she calmly walked me through all of our options, explained things I was confused about, and most importantly, encouraged me about the situation and offered hope. “Years later, across the ocean, in different countries, I call them up and they still continue to teach and guide me. How many schools can offer that kind of life-long learning?”

From Our Student Senate President: “This institution focuses on giving a wellrounded education. Be it an opportunity to learn a language that wasn’t offered before, spending a semester studying in another culture, or being a music major who is taking calculus. It is that well rounded education that sets us apart. This university has taken me everywhere: from singing in China, to studying in France, to researching in South Africa. It has taken me above the clouds and in the depths of the oceans, but only because I let it.” Logan Caldwell, Class of 2014

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’10

Brandon Boese Brandon Boese ’10 says all of his experiences at University of Jamestown, including a major in mathematics and minors in Character in Leadership, political science, and philosophy, are serving him well as he prepares for his final year of law school.

• Law student, William Mitchell College of Law • Editor, William Mitchell Law Review • University of Jamestown Alpha Chi Honor Society • University of Jamestown Fellow in Mathematics

• Student Senate President “Now that I have two years of law school completed as well as experience working in the legal field, I can say with certainty that every area that I studied at University of Jamestown has played an important role in my success at law school,” says Boese, who recently completed his second year at William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minn., where he is attending on a full-tuition scholarship. “Political science classes provided an introduction to the legal world, reading various dense philosophical texts prepared me for the lengthy and challenging reading assignments assigned in law school, math assignments helped develop my analytical, logical, and problem solving skills, and classes on servant leadership have been and will continue to be instrumental as I serve as an editor on the William Mitchell Law Review.” Beyond the classroom, Boese says it’s important for law students like him to gain legal experience, so he drew on his time management and prioritizing skills as he juggled classes, a job at a law firm, an externship with a federal judge, and his responsibilities with the Law Review. “Jamestown seems to innately teach students how to manage a lot of responsibilities at one time. Whether you’re a student-athlete, a student-musician, or a student-worker, very few students at Jamestown are simply just students,” he says. “For me, as a member of multiple student activities and organizations, my time at Jamestown really taught me how to prioritize effectively and stay accountable to multiple people and commitments.” After law school, Boese plans to pursue a clerkship with a judge for a year or two before entering work at a law firm practicing civil litigation. “I truly value the liberal arts education I received at Jamestown because I believe it has helped me engage in classes and subjects from a wide array of legal practice areas,” he says.

University of Jamestown

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’07

Jeff and Autumn (Schmid) Huiatt Jeff and Autumn (Schmid) Huiatt met as students at University of Jamestown and say their experiences, both in and out of the classroom, have served them well in their lives and careers. As an audit manager with one of the largest professional service organizations in the world, Autumn says accounting courses she took at University of Jamestown provided the skills she uses daily.

• Audit manager, Deloitte, Seattle, Wash. (Autumn) • Performance analyst, Bank of New York Mellon, Tacoma, Wash. (Jeff) • C-17 pilot, U.S. Air Force Reserves, McChord AFB (Jeff) • University of Jamestown Fellow in Accounting and History/Political Science (Autumn) • Student Senate President (Autumn)

“When I took the CPA exam, I relied heavily on the business law and income tax classes I had taken,” says Autumn, who started with Deloitte right out of college. “I scored really high, which was a good indication of the depth of material we covered.” Beyond accounting classes, Autumn says literature, political science, and economics classes were beneficial to her professional development. “The common denominator in these classes is critical analysis and writing,” she says. “Most of my day is spent doing one of those two things as a critical evaluator on behalf of the investing public.” “Professionally, the ability to think critically is key,” adds Jeff, a performance analyst for the Bank of New York Mellon. “My education at Jamestown assisted in the development of those skills.” The Huiatts agree University of Jamestown’s liberal arts approach to education has proven beneficial. “If I participate in conversations with other professionals and clients on topics that are outside my realm of professional expertise, I rely on more general knowledge,” Autumn says. “That is the benefit of a liberal arts education.” Jeff, a business major, recalls an African American literature class which provided an opportunity to read works written from a perspective different from his own. “We spent time analyzing the characters, storyline, and the methods of communication implemented,” he says. “In my field, I communicate with others in debate, factual, and storytelling scenarios.” Outside of the classroom, the Huiatts say University of Jamestown lets students thrive while getting involved. “The unique thing about college is that students have the opportunity to think outside the box and plan events in which the greater student body can participate,” Autumn says. “A group of students ran a fundraiser to assist in the response to Hurricane Katrina. I worked with a group to start a Habitat for Humanity chapter.” “The intimacy of the campus, community, and student body allowed me to be involved through academics, athletics, and the greater Jamestown Community,” adds Jeff. “This is why I am most happy I chose to attend University of Jamestown.”

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’13 Joelle Reiser During an intense, six-week program in nuclear chemistry last summer at San Jose State University, Joelle Reiser ’13 observed some of her fellow students from around the country struggling with the rigorous pace. But she found it to be similar to a testing or final exam week at University of Jamestown. • College Fellow in Chemistry and Mathematics • Alpha Chi Honor Society • Department of Energy Nuclear Chemistry Summer School, San Jose State University • Graduate Student, Washington State University

“We were expected to attend lecture and lab for about eight hours a day and at night we were expected to study and write lab reports,” says Reiser, who is continuing her education in analytical environmental radiochemistry at Washington State University. “I was very thankful that I had been pushed so hard at University of Jamestown, because school seemed like a breeze (at the summer program).” Reiser says her professors at University of Jamestown made a point of connecting the curriculum to the students’ specific interests and goals. “In the Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations class, (assistant professor of mathematics) Ashish Patel taught us several ways to use math in our fields – chemistry, engineering, and education – since everyone in the class was a double major,” she says. “He went above and beyond the scope of the class so we would have an edge in our fields.” After graduate school, Reiser plans to work for a national lab, a university, or in the industry sector. She says the chemistry program at University of Jamestown has prepared her for a variety of options. “The chemistry program at Jamestown is top notch in preparing students for graduate school,” Reiser says. “I was able to take several classes I wouldn’t have had I gone to a different school. “(Professor of chemistry) Dr. (Carl) Steffan encourages all his students to work hard, plan for the future, and think critically. He made me the chemist I am today.”

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’13

Matthew Nies

• College Fellow in Communication and Spanish • Alpha Chi Honor Society

Whether he was conducting research for • News Director, Student Media stories, logging tapes, or assisting on shoots, Center Matthew Nies gained valuable experience as an intern for ABC News in New York City during • Intern, ABC News the spring semester of 2012. It’s an opportunity that came about through networking and building on the skills he learned at University of Jamestown as a communication major and participant in the Student Media Center. “There were many times I drew on my experiences and lessons at University of Jamestown while at ABC,” Nies says. “While many such instances were technically related, time management was something I needed extensively. Prioritizing particular assignments or studies is something that enabled me to efficiently and effectively deal with my obligations at University of Jamestown. Prioritizing was one of the first things they emphasized I learn (at ABC). I am glad I already had.” Nies’ internship illustrates how the professional connections of University of Jamestown faculty or alumni are often instrumental in matching students with unique opportunities for hands-on learning. Assistant professor of communication Dana Creasy put Nies in touch with a producer he knew. “This producer recommended me on my application to the ABC News internship program,” Nies says. “Mr. Creasy’s networking was definitely a major reason for my having the opportunity to intern with ABC.” As news director at University of Jamestown’s Student Media Center, Nies worked on the award-winning KnightWatch, a monthly public affairs program. He also researched and wrote news stories, conducted interviews, prepared scripts and anchored JCTV’s newscasts.

“I learned the value of following through and finishing a project or assignment while at University of Jamestown,” he says. “Doing something responsibly, and without needing to be supervised to get it done, was highly valued at ABC. I am thankful I had the opportunity to learn in college a skill precious in the workplace.”

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Success

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’04 Jennifer (Larson) Shafer Jennifer (Larson) Shafer ’04 says her University of Jamestown education prepared her for working with high-level clients such as the Department of Agriculture.

• Harry S. Truman Scholar • Consultant, LMI • Rural policy fellow, Department of Agriculture • English teacher, Japanese Language and Teaching Program • Master of Public Administration, M.A. International Relations, Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs • Young Alumni Medallion Recipient

As a supply chain management consultant with LMI, a not-for-profit consulting firm in the Washington, D.C. area, Shafer says she draws daily upon the skills and education she gained at University of Jamestown. “Whether I’m writing a memo to a client or providing a briefing, I need to communicate effectively,” she says. Shafer, who was named University of Jamestown’s first Truman Scholar in 2003, was a communication and sociology major, but she says classes across the curriculum were valuable.

“Chemistry classes taught me how to think critically and work through a problem,” she says. “The ethics class helped me to understand the ethical implications of my work.” Shafer was active in Students of Service at University of Jamestown and continues to serve as a volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team in Fairfax County. “I gained a real sense that no matter what your stage in life, it’s important to give back to your community,” she says.

employers University of Jamestown alumni have built careers in hundreds of leading companies around the country and abroad. Below is a sampling of the many prominent companies and organizations that have employed our graduates. 3M Boeing BP Amoco Deloitte Department of Commerce Department of Education Eide Bailly FBI Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago and Minneapolis French Embassy Hewlett-Packard

IBM Internal Revenue Service Kimberly-Clark KPMG Mayo Clinic Microsoft Peace Corps Pricewaterhouse Coopers Siemens Communications TV Guide Universal Studios Source: University of Jamestown Career Services, Alumni

University of Jamestown

Hands-on Learning internships The following are examples of companies and organizations which have hosted internships for University of Jamestown students in recent years. ABC News 20/20 Agri-Cover, Inc. Anne Carlsen Center Anytime Fitness Chesterman Communications Cliffs Natural Resources Defense Finance and Accounting Services Family Bridges of North Dakota Foss Wellness Center University of Jamestown Great Plains Rehabilitation Services James River Humane Society Jamestown Area Ambulance Jamestown Police Department Jamestown Regional Medical Center MDU Resources Group MedCenter One

Microsoft National Research Council of Canada Newman Signs North Dakota State Hospital Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Preferred Rehab Spine and Sport Professional Eyecare Centers Sandness Law Unison Bank University of Jamestown US Army Corps of Engineers West River Regional Medical Center Source: University of Jamestown Career Services

Continuing Education

Grad School

University of Jamestown graduates have gone on to continue their education at graduate and professional schools around the country. Graduates from recent years have enrolled at the following institutions. American University Bay Path College Catholic University of America Dartmouth Emerson College George Washington University Law School Georgetown University Grand Canyon University Iowa State University Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Minnesota State University North Dakota State University Northwestern Health Sciences Univ.

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Notre Dame Purdue University Rutgers University Smith College Texas A&M University of North Dakota University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Regina Washington State University Yale University Source: University of Jamestown Career Services, Alumni

Office of Admission 6082 College Lane l Jamestown, ND 58405 701.252.3467 l uj.edu