Graduation 2023

THE STANDARD

GRADUATION 2023

Standard staff

Advertising staff

Paris Wilken advertising designer

Makayla Malachowski advertising assistant

Editorial staff

Lillian Durr editor-in-chief

Casey Loving editor

Makayla Malachowski editor

Jenna Murray editor

Desiree Nixon editor

Makayla Strickland editor

William Bohlen copy editor

Eli Slover copy editor

Liliana Hayes copy editor

Reporters and visual artists

Allie Free reporter

Alyssa Farrar reporter

Angela Rechtfertig reporter

Dorottya Faa illustrator

Em Blackstone reporter

Hope Blaylock reporter

Garrett Sims sports reporter

Jade Morrow sports reporter

Jarrett Brattin video staff

Jillian Smith reporter

Kylie Colbert sports reporter

Liliana Hayes reporter

Maddy Rice reporter

Mason Ray video staff

Maura Curran reporter

Mavis Parks reporter

O’Shayla Muldrow sports reporter

Patrick Walden photographer

Robin Garner reporter

Shane Sansom reporter

Sloane Galindo photographer

Professional staff

Jack Dimond faculty adviser

While I am myself not graduating, it’s hard not to feel the impact of graduation every year. As our friends, classmates and leaders move on to their post-grad lives, their legacies on campus are visible more than ever.

But this is not just a time to miss our graduating seniors, it is also a time to celebrate all they have accomplished! Including recipients of department awards and those moving on to new universities and careers, we hope you join us in celebrating them all in our 2023 Graduation issue!

is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by the students on The Standard staff.

- Lillian Durr, Editor-in-Chief

GRADUATION

Cover photo by Lillian Durr

On the cover: a hand holds up a graduation cap in front of the John Q. Hammons Fountains and Temple Hall.

GRADUATING SENIORS

Annie Collier: Religious Studies and Criminology grad sets out to break the ice

DESIREE NIXON Editor

Whenever Annie Collier came to Missouri State University, she was unsure exactly what she wanted to do. For one of her general education classes, she took religion. It was there that she fell in love with the subject and decided to make it one of her majors.

“I chose to major in religious studies because I found it so interesting to learn about,” Collier said. “While I am not religious myself, I have always been fascinated by the importance of religion in people’s lives.”

While Collier finds religious studies important, she did not want to stop there with her education and decided to add a criminology major, a minor in art history and a certificate in the criminal courts. However, her professional goals differ from the majors she chose. Her original plan was to attend law school, and she thought a double major would help with that.

“While I no longer want to go to law school, I have still loved learning about criminology,” Collier said. “Religion, criminology and even art history are just a few of my passions that I have had the privilege to continue to learn about while at Missouri State.”

Stephen Berkwitz, department head for religious studies, knows Collier as a great student and motivator. He said that Collier has been involved in creating an active and dynamic learning environment for other students that are in religious studies.

While Berkwitz has many fond memories of Annie through the years, his favorite deals with her post-graduation plans.

“Perhaps my most memorable memory of Annie would be speaking with her informally about her love of sports and her post-graduation plans at our end-of-semester department social,” Berkwitz said. “Connecting with students as real people, and showing them that their professors are real people too, is always a joy.”

Upon graduation, Collier has some immediate plans to travel the world. She plans to go to Israel on a short-term study abroad trip and then visit Paris,

France; Rome, Italy; and Athens, Greece. Once she is back she hopes to get a job in community relations for a professional hockey team.

“I want to truly make hockey for everybody, that is my passion,” Collier said. “Hockey is one of the most expensive sports, so there is a major lack of diversity among players. Additionally, there are very few BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ players, a side effect of

the lack of diversity.”

Collier said that her main goal is to make the statement “Hockey is for Everyone” true for all.

For other students, Collier said that her best piece of advice is to get connected to the department that you are a part of. She said you never know what kind of an impact you can make on a department or the connections that a professor could have for you.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@moment.of.wondurr

Annie Collier poses in Strong Hall in her graduation stole for her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.

Marcella Cadle achieves academic success in the College of Agriculture

JILLIAN SMITH Reporter D@jilliansmith_16

When preparing for college, many students are stumped when choosing their college major. When Marcella Cadle was in high school she thought she would get a degree in mathematics because she enjoyed it and excelled. However, her plans changed when her high school added an agriculture program.

Cadle joined FFA and gained experience tutoring others in the agriculture program. She realized she had a passion for the field, and her teachers encouraged her to pursue a degree in agricultural education.

“I wanted to become a math teacher since I enjoyed math and excelled within the department,” said Cadle. “However, after the agriculture program was added to my school, I began to develop a passion for agriculture.”

Cadle soon found herself in the William H. Darr College of Agriculture at Missouri State University and immediately immersed herself in the program.

Cadle found a second family with her classmates and professors in the college, which she said allowed her to “not be afraid to ask for help from classmates and learn from them.”

She was selected as a Missouri Teach Agriculture Ambassador where two students from each university try to recruit high school students to study agriculture education.

Cadle did not stop there. She took on leadership positions in countless other clubs and organizations. She took on leadership roles in MSU student organizations offered through the College of Agriculture, such as the president and treasurer for collegiate FFA, the vice president of the collegiate Farm Bureau and treasurer and fill-in president of the Forestry Club.

These leadership roles led her to join the Delta Tau Alpha Honor Society, available to

junior members with a 3.6 GPA or higher, and the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society which recognizes freshmen for their academic excellence.

Her scholastic achievements earned her numerous academic awards. She was the only recipient of the Delta Tau Alpha Outstanding Freshman Award and Glenn Karls Senior Excellence Award.

Cadle was also the recipient of the Agricultural Alumni Association Scholarship, Missouri Farm Bureau Scholarship and Greene County Farm Bureau Scholarship, just to name a few.

Cadle said these achievements and awards would have never been possible without the support she received from her peers and professors in the College of Agriculture.

“There were numerous people that positively impacted my time at MSU,” said Cadle. “In fact, I would say the entire COAG faculty and staff made a positive impact not only on my time at MSU but on my life as well.”

The way her professors treated her as well as other students with care and compassion made her college experience rewarding. Cadle said her professors provided guidance in times of struggle and ultimately pushed her to achieve her highest potential.

Among the people who had a positive impact on her time at MSU is Rhonda Breshears, a member of staff she met as a student worker in the office of the College of Agriculture. Breshears said she never wanted Cadle to leave but was confident she would always be the biggest advocate for the college of agriculture.

“We knew with her, it was always going to be the approach of stand back and watch her fly,” said Breshears. “She always invested 200% of herself into anything.”

Cadle is currently student-teaching at Hollister High School in Hollister, Missouri, where she has gained firsthand experience on the tremendous impact teaching has had on students’ lives and finds the career to be

rewarding.

Cadle said she looks forward to starting her teaching career at Lebanon Technology and Career Center as the Agriculture and FFA Advisor for the 2023-2024 school year.

“I retained contact with my past teachers

after graduation and they still support as well as advise me to this day,” said Cadle. “I am excited to make this same impact on my future students at Lebanon Technology and Career Center.”

Submitted by Marcella Cadle

William H. Darr College of Agriculture graduate Marcella Cadle sits at her desk in Hollister High School where she currently student-teaches agriculture.

Hattie Geltemeyer Dances to the finish line

and optional electives.

“Our assignments are usually reflection papers about how we’re doing and what we feel like we can work on, or sometimes they might be video assessments,” Geltemeyer said.

Geltemeyer will be graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in May. Although a Bachelor of Science in dance was an option, Geltemeyer chose to pursue a BFA to focus on her performance and versatility.

“If you do the BFA, it’s more about performance and being really well-rounded throughout all the different fine arts,” Geltemeyer said.

One of Geltemeyer’s college career accomplishments is the creation of Resonance Dance Company, an MSU student-led dance organization. Geltemeyer and her co-founder Kelsey Zimmerman, a junior earning a Bachelor of Science in dance, wrote the by-laws, the company contracts and the mission statement for their new company.

and networking.

Resonance is unique in its involvement with the community outside of MSU’s campus. The group has participated in Cider Days and performed with the Springfield Dance Alliance in the past.

“We really wanted to make a company that did more stuff out in the community,” Geltemeyer said.

Resonance is limited to having 16 company members. Geltemeyer wanted it to be selective enough to create a successful company with a rigorous schedule and choreography. When the first auditions were held in May 2022, Geltemeyer was pleased with the outcome.

“We thought it was going to be harder (to find people), but a lot of dance majors showed up that we weren’t necessarily expecting and we were excited to see all of them,” Geltemeyer said.

After graduation, Zimmerman will take over Geltemeyer’s company director position. They will hold auditions in May for new company members.

Throughout her college dance career at MSU, Geltemeyer has achieved several notable achievements for her performances and choreography. One recent accomplishment was the success of a dance she performed in at the American College Dance Association called “Sun Target.” The piece placed in the top 10 and was selected for the gala concert where it earned second alternate for Nationals.

“It’s like contemporary ballet, but there are some comedic elements to it and it’s based off the statue outside the art museum, the french fry one,” Geltemeyer said. “We’re in bright yellow and it’s so fun.”

Another dance that Geltemeyer choreographed called “Resurgence From Lament” was also selected to be performed at the American College Dance Association Formal Adjudication in 2022.

“Choreography is really where I feel like I stand out,” Geltemeyer said. “I really enjoy choreography.”

performance from her time at MSU will be the upcoming spring dance concert taking place May 4-7.

“There are some really cool pieces in it,” Geltemeyer said. “I’m in this one where it’s punkthemed; we’re all wearing monochrome and I’m wearing a purple wig for it and I’m really excited about it.”

Geltemeyer’s senior concert will take place that same weekend on Saturday, May 6. She said her choreographed dance will be performed by another dancer and includes aspects of paint, audience participation and spoken word.

“Mine is about human connection, how people can make an impact on your life whether you realize it or not but also people you think made a bigger impact on you didn’t make as big an impact on you,” Geltemeyer said.

Geltemeyer attributes much of her educational success to her active involvement with the dance program and the help of her dance professors. These mentors include Associate Professor Sarah Wilcoxon, Assistant Professor Azaria Baggett and retired Associate Professor Ruth Barnes.

“This last year has been really helpful and all of the dance faculty are very open to questions and I feel like I’ve done a good job at utilizing what the dance program has to offer,” Geltemeyer said. “You get out what you put in.”

In addition to all of her dance-related involvements, Geltemeyer was also involved in other campus organizations. In the summer of 2021, she participated as a Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration leader, helping new students transition to life at the university.

“I got to work with some really awesome people and I feel like it really helped me step out as a leader a little bit more,” Geltemeyer said. “I figured out what my leadership style was.”

Graduating senior Hattie Geltemeyer has spent the last four years at Missouri State University eating, sleeping and breathing dance. From teaching at Springfield dance studios to creating Resonance Dance Company, Geltemeyer has made the most of her time in college.

When choosing where to pursue dance after high school, she asked her friend, an MSU dance program alum, about the program.

“She said that the dance program here is very supportive,” Geltemeyer said. “If you come from a really strict background of dance and you’re wanting something that’s more tight-knit and a family type of environment, that’s what the dance program is here at Missouri State.”

As a dance major, Geltemeyer still had the same general education requirements as every other MSU student. The rest of her college courses included required technique classes, dance theory courses

“We spent a really long time curating it to how we wanted to present ourselves to the community and also how we wanted our dancers and the dances that we created to be presented,” Geltemeyer said. “So that’s something I’m really proud of because that helped me as an artist to figure out how I want to market myself as well after graduation.”

Resonance Dance Company is a committee of MO State Dance Co., MSU’s student-run dance organization. Geltemeyer has held multiple executive positions for MO State Dance Co., including co-president and fundraising director. However, Geltemeyer and Zimmerman wanted to create an extension of the company.

“(The goal is) to provide more performance opportunities for the dance majors and dancers at Missouri State, because there are a lot of performance opportunities but some people don’t get selected for all of them or they don’t know about them,” Geltemeyer said.

Geltemeyer and Zimmerman presented their company idea to the MSU dance faculty and were given the approval to continue creating Resonance Dance Company. Geltemeyer is Resonance’s company director and mainly focuses on choreography

Geltemeyer is also involved in several Springfield dance organizations. She choreographs for nearby studios for dance competitions and teaches a variety of dance lessons.

Geltemeyer has taught ballet and jazz classes at Springfield Ballet for the past five years. She also teaches at the Dance Canvas Performing Arts Center, where she teaches ballet and choreographs ballet, contemporary and lyrical dances.

“It’s been exciting to broaden the different styles that I’ve taught in because I grew up mostly doing ballet, so doing more jazz and contemporary has been really exciting,” Geltemeyer said.

The college memory that stands out the most to Geltemeyer happened in the spring of 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted regular university operations. A dance company called 10 Hairy Legs traveled to MSU to help choreograph a routine with students. Geltemeyer said they spent several long days creating a dance called “Take Me Into Your Skin.”

“It was a really cool experience because I felt like we created this really wonderful piece and it was the last thing that I performed before COVID,” Geltemeyer said. “I didn’t perform anything in person again until the fall of 2021.”

Geltemeyer said she thinks her overall favorite

Geltemeyer’s main piece of advice for incoming freshmen is to get involved and find your people.

“It’s easy to get stuck in this rut of being the same person that you were in high school,” Geltemeyer said. “But if you find the right people that help you really grow and don’t hold you back I feel like that’s a really good way to push you into who you’re supposed to be.”

Geltemeyer also provided a word of caution to dance majors who will likely feel overwhelmed by their workload.

“For dance majors specifically, get involved, but know how to say no,” Geltemeyer said. “If people are asking you to be in like 600 different things, really learn to pick which ones you feel are really going to help you move forward or ones that bring you a lot of joy.”

After graduation, Geltemeyer plans to stay in Springfield while continuing to teach dance classes and earn certifications in different dance styles. After saving up enough money, she hopes to attend grad school and earn an MFA in dance with a focus on either dance pedagogy or dance choreography. She is currently looking at programs at Washington University and Florida State University.

After completing her education ambitions, Geltemeyer said she hopes to become a dance instructor at the college level.

JENNA MURRAY Editor D@Jenna_Murray5

Photo by Jenna Murray D@Jenna_Murray5

Hattie Geltemeyer poses in front of McDonald Arena. Geltemeyer is one of the founders of MSU’s Resonance Dance Company.

Zull-Kifuly Moumouni: International grad represents home country with pride

Going to college in a new town feels like a reset for many students. Moving away from everywhere and everyone you know can make for a difficult transition. Most students can take comfort in knowing that at least someone at their school comes from where they call home.

However, this isn’t true for everyone.

“In my program right now, I’m going to say in the whole of MSU, I’m the only one from Benin,” graduate student Zull-Kifuly Moumouni said.

Moumouni came to the U.S. from the Republic of Benin for the first time in 2018 to pursue his studies. This semester, Moumouni will graduate from Missouri State University with a master’s degree in Second Language Acquisition on the French track.

“I’m the only one from my family, both sides, who has ever wanted to go for their Masters,” Moumouni said. “Originally, I always wanted to make a difference in my family, to study as high as possible. So right now even, I’m going to work toward a Ph.D. when I finish this. I really want to do that.”

Moumouni first studied at the University of Montana for four months before going to Pennsylvania State University on a Fulbright Scholarship in fall 2019. He attended Penn State for a year before returning to Benin.

“I have known some people who never went back home, but I’m a man of my word,” Moumouni said. “In the contract, you have to go back home and share your new skills for at least two years. So I went back home for two years, from 2019 to 2021, and when I finished I was like ‘OK, I’m gonna take my next step,’ which was coming here in 2021.”

Moumouni decided to come to MSU after meeting Assistant Professor Antoinette Barffour before he returned to Benin in 2019.

“I first met Zull at an (American Association for Applied Linguistics) conference in Atlanta,” Barffour said. “I told him about our MASLA program. When he returned to his home country, he stayed in touch with me, asking further questions about our program, application process, expectations and requirements. As an intellectually promising student, it’s a pleasure to have been part of his educational experience at MSU.”

Not only is Moumouni the only student from Benin, but he is also the only international student in his cohort of the master’s program French track.

“It’s very difficult,” Moumouni said. “Sometimes, you need people from your country. Even if we are all international, there are so many international students here, there are some Af-

ricans here, but there’s no one from Benin. The culture is different somehow, so it’s very difficult to find someone you fit with.”

It’s not just that Moumouni has not met another student from Benin; he said he has rarely met anyone who knows about his home country at all. Changing this has been a point of pride during his time at MSU.

“The first week I came here, I’m like ‘Oh, I’m from Benin,’ and it’s like ‘Where is that?’” he said. “I would personally say, personally and professionally, both ways, say that this is a huge accomplishment, at least at MSU there will be hundreds of people who finally know about my country and, even know where it’s situated in Africa.”

Moumouni has spent his time at MSU sharing his culture with his peers in a number of ways. On top of taking public speaking opportunities to share about his home country, Moumouni has been working with the library to expand their roster of African (particularly West African) literature.

“Being the first MSU student from Benin, he has been our gateway to this French-speaking West African country and culture,” Barffour said.

“He has demonstrated that representation by sharing his rich culture and linguistic experience with students, faculty, staff, campus community — through teaching in the classroom, presen-

tations during international programs’ Tour of the Globe, World Languages and Culture’s World Language Showcase, National French, and francophone weeks events.”

Luciane Maimone, Moumouni’s advisor and an associate professor of applied linguistics, said this commitment to his education and heritage has made him a welcome addition to MSU over the past few years.

“I just love how proud he is of his background and heritage and how he represents that, wearing clothes and things from his culture,” Maimone said. “He’s always sharing everything with a smile. I think that contributes to the kind of environment that we want: an environment of friendship, of learning together.”

In addition to his own education, Moumouni financially supports two students in Benin. He also sends money back home to his family.

“I just send them some money monthly, some coaching,” Moumouni said. “I say, ‘Come on. Look at me. I came from a very poor family. I was two years old when my parents divorced, and then my mama had to raise me. We had struggles, and now I’m here, and I am going all the way up to a Ph.D., so you should look at me as an example.’”

Moumouni held a graduate assistant position for part of his time on campus. This was the only job he could have at the time because of regu-

lations for international students.

“I got my stipend, which is not that big, I just prioritize my family needs,” he said. “Right now, I don’t have a car. I have three kids also, so it’s not that big, but I prioritize the most important needs.”

Moumouni has been accepted to Louisiana State University, where he will work for his Ph.D. program.

“He has also been very active in participating in different department and university events and sharing his culture and his love for the French language,” Maimone said. “It has been very exciting and we will be very sad to see him go, but we are happy for him because he has been accepted into a Ph.D. program, so we’re very proud of him.”

Moumouni will receive his master’s degree in Second Language Acquisition on the French track from Missouri State University May 19.

“I’m very grateful for this chance, this experience at MSU,” he said. “You know, any experience has some downsides, right? It’s everywhere. This has opened my life, my eyes to some flexibility in my life, to be open to some cultural difficulties and stuff, and just keep moving through the challenges, right? I’m going now to another program and experience, so I’m really thankful for this chance to be at MSU.”

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots

Graduate student Zull-Kifuly Moumouni poses in front of Carrington Hall. Moumouni will be graduating with his masters in Second Language Acquisition in May.

Parting ways: graduating seniors feature their work in MSU’s senior art exhibition

papermaking, and embedded into these paper pieces are images of my healing. The core function of my practice is nurturing connections between people and within oneself, which motivates the ways I work within the public and create art objects.”

Smith said her work will also be featured at the Springfield Art Museum, located at 1111 E. Brookside Drive. The museum holds a special place in Smith’s heart, as she worked there for several years.

As an MFA student, Smith said she has learned the importance of creating artwork and exhibiting it for others to see. Before this exhibition, she had art displayed in other exhibitions in Springfield, including “Mapping Awareness: Social Objects and Detritus,” “Meditations on Wholeness and Connection” and “Slow Viewing.”

Smith has been working toward this particular exhibition for two years.

“The amalgamation of the entire MFA experience has enabled me to imagine what my future can look like and provided the tools, knowledge and discipline needed to make what I am imagining a reality,” Smith said.

What Smith said stood out to her most about the program was the support of the faculty members in the art and design department. For the past three years that Smith has been in the studio, she said every week she is visited by at least one faculty member looking at her work and discusses it with her for a full hour.

“There is a considerable amount of generosity of attention happening in this program that is rare to find,” Smith said.

Smith has been working toward this exhibition for the past two years. She will feature this project, called “Request for Slowness and Patience” at the exhibition.

After collecting the items, she said she grinds them up to create pigments to use in her art. Since she grew up around these things, Rolewicz said these items serve as memory or experience to tell a story through her work.

Rolewicz, like Smith, has also taken part in other exhibitions, including the spring 2022 Annual Juried Student Exhibition at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center. She said she has been working on this exhibition all semester, logging 30 or more hours a week in the studio at times.

Inspired by her art teachers and other important figures in her life such as her godmother, Rolewicz recently accepted a job in Oklahoma and is excited to move there after graduation. She said she’s known from a young age that that’s exactly what she wanted to do with her life.

Missouri State University’s art and design department will host their once-a-semester BFA in Art Senior Exhibition at Brick City from May 1-12 to celebrate artwork from graduating seniors in the program. The exhibition will also be featured in May’s First Friday Art Walk on May 5.

Each semester, the art and design department hosts exhibitions to showcase students who have curated their craft for several years and will carry their talents into the world of

professional art.

According to Department Head Vonda Yarberry, each graduating senior is required to take part in the exhibition as a final experience in their degree. Shauna Le Ann Smith, who will be graduating with an master of fine arts in visual studies, is featuring works titled “Continuation.”

Smith said as an artist, she seeks to explore the partnership between art-making and community engagement. Through her pieces, Smith said her aim was to encourage introspection and “invite people to slow down.”

“I am sharing a series of handmade paper pieces,” she said. “Filled with grief, I learned

Ashley Rolewicz, who will be graduating with a bachelor of fine arts in drawing and a bachelor of science in education in art education, said she is also grateful for the support offered by the art and design professors.

“It’s really incredible to see how these individuals, who probably started out in my or my peers’ shoes, to see what they’ve done with their careers and how they’ve chosen to help other artists,” Rolewicz said.

Rolewicz said she chose the drawing track for her degree because it was the medium she was most comfortable with up until about a year ago when she started working with natural materials. Working with natural materials was a process that was “beneath the surface” for her until she became brave enough to explore working with interesting objects she’d find in the woods, such as mushrooms and flowers.

As for Smith, she plans to stay local and create a home art studio while applying for as many exhibition and residency opportunities as possible. Smith is also preparing and applying for collegiate teaching jobs while staying open to other community-oriented art job openings, including museum education and programming, gallery work and not-for-profit organization positions.

While Smith wants to continue making art, she also wants to continue impacting her community through her artwork.

“I hope to continue prioritizing (my work) long-term, including keeping it in balance with any service-oriented work I am doing,” Smith said.

To learn more about their respective projects and to see their work, visit the Brick City Gallery until May 12, located at 215 W. Mill Street.

MAKAYLA MALACHOWSKI Editor D@MMal2024

Submitted by Shauna Le Ann Smith

Shauna Le Ann Smith is graduating with an MFA in visual art. This piece, which will be featured in the exhibition, is entitled “Keeping Connections Clear.”

Submitted by Shauna Le Ann Smith

Sydney Wilson Senior Lady Bear leaves behind lasting legacy

KYLIE COLBERT Sports Reporter D@kyliecol8

“The voice of the team, the voice of the organization,” Lady Bears head coach Beth Cunningham said of veteran Lady Bears guard Sydney Wilson.

Sydney Wilson has spent the last five years with the Lady Bears organization excelling not only at basketball, but academics as well. In her undergraduate, she majored in general business and minored in marketing, and she is currently working towards an accelerated master’s degree in business administration.

During her time studying at Missouri State, she has achieved multiple MVC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Awards, in 2020 and 2022, the Missouri Valley Conference Academic Honor Roll from 20192022 and the MVC Scholar-Athletic honorable mention in 2022.

“I have always taken pride in my school work, even in high school,” Wilson said, “Coming to college, it was definitely a struggle, but they have so many resources at the library with the athletic department. Figuring out what works in my schedule, being organized and having time management definitely helped.”

While balancing her studies, she made her mark in Lady Bears history. After the NCAA allowed players to come back for a fifth year, Wilson did not hesitate to take the opportunity.

“I think it was huge to have Syd come back for her fifth year, being a first-year head coach in the program,” Cunningham said. “Her experience speaks for itself. She understands the Lady Bear way, she understands how important the Lady Bears are in the community. Her experience was invaluable for us.”

Wilson always held a leadership role with the team, but during her final year, she adopted a different method of being a leader.

“She really embraced the role of being a more vocal leader, that is something I think she really took more ownership of this year,” Cunningham said.

Wilson knew her role would be greater

this year, being one of the oldest members on the team, but she also knew it was not all on her shoulders. It was a team effort.

“With the help of Aniya Thomas, the transfer, she definitely helped me a lot,” Wilson said. “We just bounced off of each other. If I wasn’t doing well that day, she’d take that role. We balanced each other well,”

During her last year as a Lady Bear, she surpassed 1,000 career points. She is one of 16 players to achieve this record.

“I knew I was getting close, I knew it was three points away,” Wilson recalled, “I got it at the Belmont game. I didn’t really realize it until I got on my phone and saw the picture of me with 1,000 points,”

Despite the magnitude of her achievements, Wilson remained humble and team-oriented. She recognized the importance of those numbers, but quickly turned back to her team and how the success of the team as a whole was more important to her than her own numbers.

“Seeing that (number) was crazy, not a lot of people get that,” Wilson said. “Over the last five years, I’ve played with some amazing people and I was coached by some amazing women. So achieving that was actually awesome.”

Over the past few years, Wilson always had an impact on the court, but she made an impact off of it just the same.

“She’s just a great kid,” Cunningham said. “Certainly somebody that’s a joy to be around and a pleasure to coach. Her teammates love her. She always leads by example and always has everybody else’s needs above her own. She sacrifices for the best of the team.”

“The one thing that was tough for me was that she never really got recognized in the light of how valuable she was.” Cunningham said when Wilson achieved the Player of the Week award. “I was just so happy for her because it was probably long overdue and well deserved.”

On Feb. 25, Wilson played in her last home game for the Lady Bears. It was Senior Day, where all of the graduating players were recognized before the start of the game. In addition to this recognition, her parents and her brother were also there to see the Lady Bears play and cheer her on.

“I knew it was going to be hard, but definitely it was bittersweet,” Wilson said. “I just felt super loved. We got the win, the last home game of the season. It was a great day, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Sydney Wilson has been on the Lady Bears Basketball team for five years, beginning in 2018. During her time at MSU, she also excelled academically, studying general business and marketing, working towards an accelerated master’s degree in business administration.

Photo by Missouri State University Creative Services

Nia Harrison Sartorial’s editor-inchief leads in style

LILIANA HAYES Reporter D@lilidarleen

When Nia Harrison, graduating merchandising and fashion design student, came to Missouri State University, she never expected to be the president of an organization, much less get recognized for her leadership by receiving two prestigious awards from the College of Business.

Harrison was chosen for a service award from the merchandising and fashion design department for her dedication to Sartorial, MSU’s fashion news outlet. She also earned the Joseph Daniel Delp Award this semester. According to the offi cial MSU website, the JDD Award is “given to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding achievement, performance, leadership and perseverance.”

Despite Harrison’s recent achievements, she was hesitant to join Sartorial during her freshman year because she didn’t believe writing was her strong suit. She was excited to learn that students were also offered photography, modeling and event planning opportunities.

“I was going to join Sartorial my fi rst semester, but I didn’t know if that was going to be the best for me,” Harrison said. “But honestly, I joined and kind of got right to it. For my fi rst article, I interviewed a local beauty and hair store, and actually after that, the vice president at the time asked me if I wanted to be the creative director.”

Harrison took the creative director position and oversaw the behind-the-scenes design process of Sartorial for the next two years. She credits her fellow members for being the reason she pushed past her worries and became the creative director.

Nobody seemed interested in being the editor-in-chief once it came time to choose the 2022-23 school year executive board. Harrison saw the gap and, along with the encouragement of her friends at Sartorial, stepped up to fill it despite her apprehensions.

At fi rst, the transition was diffi cult.

“Everything was intimidating,” Harrison said. “To me, it was a shock because even then I was just learning how to be a leader. Before stepping into this role, I was very much a quiet person. I would even say that when I joined Sartorial, I just wanted to do my content, mind my business and that was all. Leadership and becoming the editor-in-chief was the last thing I had in mind.”

Jenifer Roberts, an associate professor in the merchandising and fashion design department, has worked closely with Harrison time and time again. She has not only had Harrison as a student countless times, but she is also the faculty advisor for Sartorial.

Roberts remembers Harrison’s transition in a much different light.

“I didn’t see it as a struggle,” Roberts said. “I thought, more or less, that it was something that she needed to do to build self-confidence and to know that she could lead. I saw it in her, so to me, it was more of a challenge of going outside her comfort zone.”

Even before Harrison became editor-in-chief, Roberts knew she’d be successful. She described Harrison’s leadership style in and out of the classroom as “invitational.”

By invitational, she meant any opinion and voice deserved to be heard, and everyone’s strengths had the opportunity to shine.

“She is always a good partner in group assignments and wants everyone to participate,” Roberts said. “People wanted to be led by her.”

During her time as editor-in-chief, Harrison oversaw the planning of a collaboration between Sartorial and the Boys and Girls Club.

A member named Elle Douglas had wanted to write about a fashion show that the children at the Boys and Girls Club were putting together. The director of events, Katie Chandler, suggested they do a collaboration.

Harrison recalls it being stressful trying to secure space for the event, but she kept a cool head along with her executive board.

They managed to successfully correlate schedules with BGC, reserve a room and gather decorations for the event where Harrison acted as the photographer.

After everything, Harrison is happy with her time at MSU.

Graduate school is not on her mind as of right now. However, her goal is to teach in a university’s fashion department, so she knows someday she’ll have to pursue a Master’s

degree. She also knows the skills she learned from being a part of Sartorial will follow her into her future career.

“For me, being a leader was like finding my voice in a sense,” Harrison said. “I know that I can have an input in things and it will be okay. Don’t be afraid to take leadership roles and give your input because people do care and do want to listen.”

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots Nia Harrison, editor-in-chief of Sartorial and College of Business graduate poses in downtown Springfield. Harrison was awarded the Joseph Daniel Delp Award by the college this semester.

Colin Weber and Christina Nguyen A stronger tomorrow, today

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief D@lillian_durr

In the spring of 2022, I reached out to the newly elected Student Body President and Vice President, Colin Weber and Christina Nguyen, for the annual Student Government Association welcome letter in our Back to Campus issue. I gave them a soft deadline but explained that our print deadline wasn’t until July, so I could accept the letter late into the summer.

I had no need to worry though, because the pair had their letter complete and in my inbox within two weeks.

This same dedication, communication and attention to detail has carried through their time in office. As Missouri State students now approach the end of the spring semester, Weber and Nguyen are not only preparing to hand over the SGA reigns but to graduate with their bachelors in Human Resources Management, and Advertising and Promotion respectively.

“I feel like this year has gone by so quick, and I feel like it was literally yesterday that we were, like, tabling outside for the new student fair,” said Nguyen. “Now we’re finally here towards the end of our term and we’re going to transition out soon.”

Although the pair said they feel as though the year has sped by, they have made no shortage of impacts on the university as president and vice president.

“We were mainly focusing on retention of students that we were just coming back from COVID, so trying to get back to normalcy was really difficult,” said Weber. “I think this year we’ve seen a huge increase in student engagement. That’s kind of what was our end goal for (student success and stability). So I feel like we made a lot of progress there.”

For Nguyen, she said she’s proud of the improvements she’s seen in inclusivity at MSU during her time in office.

“I feel like a lot of (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives are very long term, and there’s multiple steps, but we’ve had a lot of really dedicated cabinet members on our team who are super devoted and are devoted to ensuring that we remain as inclusive and as equitable as possible,” said Nguyen.

“Inclusive collaboration” was one of three areas for improvement Weber and Nguyen outlined at the beginning of their time in office, along with student success and stability, and

access and soundness.

“I think it’s more about unifying the entire university and the entire student body around one idea and one purpose, and that’s just to make sure that the student experience here at Missouri State is inclusive and equitable for everyone,” said Nguyen.

While Weber and Nguyen are proud of their time in office, they are excited to see the next year’s administration, newly elected SGA President Spencer Vreeland and Vice President Elizabeth Simcoe, take over.

Weber said he advises Vreeland and Simcoe to take time to nurture both their professional and their personal relationship.

“I think something that (we) did really well is that we know each other a lot. We were able to carry each other throughout this entire year, and I have my strengths and I have my weaknesses. But then Chrissy balances me out with those,” said Weber. “I know they’re really good friends. I know they’re going to do a great job. But just prioritizing their relationship first their personal relationship and then the professional relationship, for sure.”

“Just enjoy your time and lean on your partner, that’s great,” said Nguyen.

Since the beginning of their term, the duo has emphasized the role of SGA as advocates, reaching out to students to find out what issues they care about.

“I think something that I was pretty proud of, and it was the one time that I’ve ever had to almost confront President Smart, and it was around the Temple Hall renovations when they were renaming the building,” said Weber. “Obviously, students were a little bit hesitant about the renaming, and so I think bringing those kind of concerns to President Smart and letting him know that students aren’t happy about this, this needs to be addressed, is like a hard thing to do, especially to the university president.”

Nguyen emphasized the importance of listening to different voices during her time as vice president, specifically with her exploration of providing Grammarly Premium accounts to students after a student approached her with the idea.

“(The student said) there are other universities that have Grammarly premiums, so why don’t we have that?” said Nguyen. “We researched it, we looked into it, and now we’re having a pilot program that’s been in progress this whole year, and we’re looking into getting funding … that’s kind of an example of just

how I want to listen to not just my friends, but the people that are younger than me, the people that are just now coming in fresh, that have new sets of eyes on the university. I think that’s a big thing.”

But the two emphasized the importance of using your voice as a student, whether you’re a member of SGA or not.

“SGA is still somewhat underutilized by a lot of students,” said Weber. “There’s a lot of opportunities for SGA to become involved in other student organizations, or if students ever have an initiative or something that they would

like to see on campus … I feel like there’s a lot of niche things within SGA that students just don’t know about that are such a great use to them.”

“If you feel like there’s something that can change on campus, to really just use your voice because it really can be impactful with how you want to advocate for not just yourself, but other people,” said Nguyen.

To learn more about SGA, visit sga.missouristate.edu/.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@moment.of.wondurr

2022-2023 Student Government Association President Colin Weber (right) and Vice President Christina Nguyen (left) pose in their caps and gowns.

Pawel Krawczyk Swimming to success

Pawel Krawczyk is a Poland native who sought out an opportunity to swim and get a degree at the same time. That goal landed him at Missouri State University. Now, having time to reflect on his time in Springfield and graduation looming, Krawczyk said he wouldn’t have done it any other way.

“I was thinking about it a lot lately. I wanted to swim and get a degree,” Krawczyk said. “So, the U.S. was the obvious choice. I’m happy, and I feel fulfilled, and I wouldn’t change anything.”

Krawczyk spent five years on the MSU Men’s Swimming and Diving team and is now looking forward to the future after his time in Springfield.

“Right now, I’m looking for jobs and it’s time to change my life from swimming for sport to something else,” Krawczyk said.

The best part of being a part of the MSU Men’s Swim and Dive team for Krawczyk was being surrounded and supported by his teammates. A standout moment for him was when the team won their conference championship.

“Winning together, like nothing can compare to the feeling of jumping into a pool after winning conference,” Krawczyk said.

After his college career Krawczyk hopes to leave the team as a symbol for them and their hard work and dedication.

“I try to stay humble usually, but let’s be honest, I know the guys were looking up to me for the last two or three years,” he said. “I know that I will be a symbol for them and of their hard work and dedication to the sport and to working hard.”

Dave Collins, head coach of the MSU Men’s Swim and Dive team, has high praise for the departing senior and his lasting legacy with the program.

“The number one thing is leadership; he has brought great leadership,” Collins said. “His example to his teammates has been extremely valuable.”

Collins said it’s Krawczyk’s daily commitment that is going to stick with the others on the team.

“The boys in that locker room are going to take with them from his experience,” said Collins. “Just that daily commitment.”

Collins found out that Krawczyk’s hard work ethic wasn’t just in the pool, but in the classroom too. After Krawczyk’s first college exam Collins, knew that he would have no struggles academically.

“It was a calculus class – not a class most freshman be in, to begin with – and he’s obviously doing this in a new language,” Collins said. “I kind of asked how (he) did on your calculus test, and he said it was a test for a small child. He did not use a calculator either.”

Krawczyk spent some of his free time as

an academic tutor in the athletic achievement center.

Before graduating Krawczyk gives the key to incoming MSU students with the advice to believe in themselves.

“Trust the process, be humble, take it easy,and don’t overdo things,” Krawczyk said. “Believe in yourself. That’s the key part. Believe in yourself and listen to yourself.”

Krawczyk found his passion for swimming at a young age. It stayed with him, just like a quote he described: “Swimming is the closest a human can get to flying.”

In his time with the MSU Men’s Swim and Dive team, Krawczyk was awarded All-Mid-American Conference first team each

year.

He also received the MAC Outstanding Senior Award, and in 2019 he took home the MAC Freshman swimmer of the year. Academically, Krawczyk has been on the MSU Athletic Director Honor Roll in four of his academic semesters.

Even though Krawczyk plans to transition away from the swimming scene, he expressed that training will always be a part of his life.

Krawczyk’s goal is to complete two sections of the Ironman triathlon over the next two summers. An Ironman triathlon is a threepart race consisting of a two-and-a-half-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26 miles of running. It’s 140 miles total.

GARRETT SIMS Sports Reporter

D@GarrettSims18

Pawel Krawczyk, originally from Poland, chose Missouri State University because he wanted to swim and get a degree. Since joining the men’s swim and dive team five years ago, Krawczyk has won several awards, including the MAC Outstanding Senior Award.

Photo by Missouri State University Creative Services

Allison Glass Hospitality management graduate moves

multiple on campus jobs.

Glass participated in the Hibernotes acapella group for all four years, and her leadership skills helped her become president. She also became president of the Ice Girls, a group that coordinates events and activities to help support the university’s hockey teams. Glass is also a part of ETA Sigma Delta hospitality honors society.

The ETA Sigma Delta hospitality honors society is the one most closely related to her major, hospitality leadership. Throughout her time at MSU, she has taken every opportunity to further her real world experience and gain new knowledge. Within her major, she has tracks in operations, club management, senior living facilities and lodging.

Glass took on two on-campus jobs to help further her resume, skills and connections. She works for the department head for hospitality leadership, Kara Wolfe, as an event coordinator. The main job is to help plan the hospitality leadership advisory wine event that they put on once a semester. Industry professionals on the advisory board meet for advice and input, and the event also raises money for scholarships.

Allison Glass, a senior majoring in hospitality management at Missouri State University, is graduating this May after a very fulfilling four years. Glass has worked her way up to multiple leadership roles and gone through personal growth and development.

During her time at MSU, Glass has immersed herself in school life and joined many organizations, as well as worked

Glass was able to secure that job through her real world experiences, campus involvement and the other position she has on campus, working for the alumni center. The department works closely with the alumni foundation so there was an instant connection that made the transition into the role of event coordinator for the department go smoothly.

With so much campus involvement, it takes the right kind of person to manage

EM BLACKSTONE Reporter D@EmBlackstone

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots

Graduate Allison Glass poses outside of Pummil Hall, home to the hospitality management program. Glass will be continuing with her passion for hospitality management at Hotel Nikko in San Fransisco, California.

the workload. Wolfe worked closely with Glass and is continuously impressed with her work ethic and attitude.

“I would describe Alli as a calm, useful presence in most people’s lives,” said Wolfe. “When I say, ‘we need to do xyz,’ but I don’t know exactly what that looks like, Alli says ‘okay, I’ll give it a shot.’ She may be unsure about what to do, but she doesn’t let it show. Alli takes initiative to try things and willingly incorporates feedback to make improvements.”

The summer before her senior year, Glass interned at Hotel Nikko, a luxury hotel in San Francisco. Glass gained experience being the food and beverage intern and was asked to come back to be a manager in training after an interview during a recruitment event in September 2022.

“Overall, I think my time in San Francisco really taught me a lot about myself and the people around me,” said Glass. “I always say one of my favorite parts of being in the city was being on one of the most populated streets and I would look around and nobody would look just like me, and I really liked that because I realized how many different people there were.”

Glass will move to San Francisco after graduation and plans to stay there for at least three years. The manager training program will take six months and then she will be placed in a department as a manager.

“I’m sad to leave Missouri State and leave Springfield, and the area closest to my family, but I do think I’m really excited to get started,” said Glass. “I think during my time at Missouri State I learned a lot, and I think I got as much out of it as I could have and gained as much leadership experience and life experience as I could have. So I feel really prepared for it, and I think that’s what makes me really excited for it.”

Wolfe has relied on and gotten close to Glass throughout the year. They have many similarities such as both living in North Dakota for a time and sharing an interest in hospitality management. Glass will be missed, and there will be large shoes to fill for next year department event coordinator.

“It’s going to be hard to continue without her because it’s fun, we always have North Dakota stories we share, and she’s

very intuitive about the things going on,” said Wolfe. “So I’ll be sad to see her go. We’ll miss her and her expertise but I’m glad she’s going somewhere with a really great opportunity.”

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots

Glass has attended Missouri State University for four years, making the most of her time by joining multiple organizations, including the Hibernotes, the Ice Girls and ETA Sigma Delta.

Drew Robertson

sounds.”

In his four years of undergraduate study at Missouri State University, he has played two concertos — one with the wind ensemble and one with the orchestra — performed at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City with the Wind Ensemble and played with MSU’s Trombone Ensemble, Trombone Choir, University Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, along with numerous other accomplishments.

Most recently, he advanced to the Music Teachers National Association, Young Artist Brass Competition after winning at the state and west central division rounds. The 2023 national competition was held in Reno, Nevada, in late March; Robertson went home the winner of the national contest, beating out brass players from across the country.

Just days before, he had been performing with the MSU Symphony Orchestra at the Concerto and Aria Competition Concert.

Following graduation, Robertson will be attending Columbus State University’s Music Performance graduate program.

According to Jason Hausback, professor of trombone at Missouri State and Robertson’s trombone teacher for the past eight years, while many music students participate in numerous performance groups and competitions, Robertson does so with remarkable skill and maturity.

While many students might think picking the major that poses the least challenge is the easiest and quickest path to graduation, for Drew Robertson, it was never an option.

“That’s what I still enjoy: the challenge of music,” said Robertson, a spring 2023 music performance graduate specializing in tenor and alto trombone. “It’s like every day I get to wake up and figure out how to make a piece of metal, that otherwise shouldn’t make good sounds, make good sounds.”

But don’t let Robertson fool you, he’s doing much more than just making “good

“He just does it really well,” said Hausback. “It doesn’t seem to faze him — being stressed out, being nervous, doubting himself. Those don’t seem to be things as much for him as for other people … Some of that could be talent, but really, it’s just much hard work and preparing and coming up with ideas and taking them on and going for it. He does that really better, honestly, than anyone else.”

Robertson attributes his numerous accolades and successes to his resilience and the number of opportunities he’s taken on.

“The reason why I’m doing all these com-

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief

Photos by Lillian Durr Q@moment.of.wondurr

A decade of rising to the challenge

petitions and having success is because I’ve done so many that have failed. I’ve submitted for competitions, like three or four competitions every year, probably,” said Robertson. “Sometimes you win and sometimes it’s just like, ‘Thank you for submitting, maybe next year.’”

Despite the losses, Robertson has never lost his passion for music. His work at Missouri State has been the continuation of a dedication to music that began in middle school.

“I joined, and I was like, ‘I’m going to play trumpet, and then they were like’, no, you’re going to play euphonium,” said Robertson. “‘I want to do jazz’, and they finally said, okay, you can play trombone.’”

Not long after, in the ninth grade, Robertson was playing trombone in the all-state band.

“I did that my freshman year, and I worked my butt off and got like the last chair in the Missouri All-State band,” said Robertson. “From there it was like, ‘okay, I’m kind of good at this.’”

But he never settled for “kind of good,” chasing his love for the challenge music

presented.

“In math, you can finish your math class and be like, I understand this. I’m going to go take a nap and not do my homework, and maybe you could go find Wikipedia articles and read about math or read textbooks,” said Robertson. “But with music it was like, ‘Okay, I can go and I can’t play this note. I’m going to figure out how to play this note. I’m going to figure out how to do this. I want to sound like this.’ And so it’s always been a thing that I can keep going and keep doing more with.”

Hausback said this mentality has been reflected in Robertson’s work ethic for years, dating back to Robertson’s days at Glendale High School in Springfield.

“I gave him a really tough solo and not something normally a high school student would play,” Hausback said. “It wasn’t the entire thing, but he came back two weeks later and had almost the whole thing memorized, and that’s something that even a college student would have trouble doing.”

Robertson’s commitment is already paying off, earning him acceptance to Columbus State University’s music performance grad-

uate program in the fall.

“A big reason why I’m going to Columbus State is that that teacher just cultivates that experience of let’s play music together and let’s learn about trombone and be really good, but also have a really good studio culture where we care about each other,” said Robertson.

While continuing to study music performance, Robertson plans to audition for orchestras.

“I’m going to continue to start taking some more and more auditions, hopefully winning one at some point to where it’ll be a big enough of an audition that I can live off of that salary,” said Robertson.

Orchestra auditions take place when members leave or retire from a performing group, making seats at high paying orchestras coveted spots for those hoping to make a living off of their performance. Robertson’s goals will place him in an incredibly competitive industry, and although the road ahead for him might be difficult, one thing is clear: Robertson isn’t one to shy away from the challenge.

Robertson poses outside of Ellis Hall, home of the Department of Music, with his tenor trombone. Robertson has been learning to play the trombone since middle school.

Alex Boze Once a Bear, always a Bear

right now.

A classmate, teammate, friend and supporter is just a glimpse of what senior Alex Boze has been during her time at Missouri State University and on the field with the Missouri State softball team.

Boze was just like any other freshman when transitioning to college: navigating the balance between freedom and academics, but for her, with the addition of athletics.

With the transition, it was difficult for Boze to find her way to balance it all without a few bumps in the road. With her place on the softball team, she has no doubt that the program has gotten her to where she is

“I definitely think sports has helped me to drive for success just in every aspect of my life,” Boze said. “Personally, I think it’s helped with having my coaches on me about my grades, I think that’s helped a lot.”

With the everlasting support from coaches, friends and teammates, Boze had a number of accomplishments. She has received MVC Honor Roll four years in a row and MSU Director’s Honor Roll for six semesters.

Boze was also driven to make accomplishments for the books while on the team after making her academic accomplishments.

For Boze’s position as the catcher, her home is behind the plate, but she made sure her presence was always known.

During the 2022 season, Boze made the Missouri Valley Conference All-Defensive Team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Third Team. Despite her personal success, Boze did not forget to give her flowers to former Missouri State pitcher Steffany Dickerson for her own accomplishments.

“I definitely think I wouldn’t have gotten it without Steffany,” Boze said. “She was this amazing pitcher of the year and me being her catcher, she made me look better…’If we have Steff, we’ve got to have Alex’, because it just worked.”

With only a few games left this regular season before the MVC championship games, Boze has not only been proud of what she’s been able to accomplish thus far on and off the field, but she’s proud of what she’s been able to achieve for her career path.

Boze has planned events with her internship at Miracle League, an organization bringing baseball and softball to kids and adults with intellectual disabilities. She’s planned a practice night for the children and adults to get used to game nights. She also has plans to put together a family fun carnival night at the Child Development Center in Springfield.

Head coach Holly Hesse has seen a tremendous amount of growth from Boze both on the campus and the field. Hesse sees that Boze and the seniors can leave a good legacy for their future players and team.

“They’ve been terrific role models as far as what we expect in our program,”

Alex Boze is the Missouri State University

team’s catcher, and has been on the team since 2019. During her time with the team, she was received several honors including selection for the MVC All-Defensive Team and the NFCA All-Region Third Team in 2022.

Hesse said. “In terms of being students, in terms of their attitudes, in terms of their selflessness and in terms of their leadership.”

While coaching Boze the last five years, Hesse has been able to see for herself how Boze has been shaped into the student athlete she has become today, from day one to the very last day she steps behind home plate.

“Boze is a unique student athlete in terms of her approach to the game. She has a lightness about her to where it’s not a ‘do or die’ for her, to her is just the joy of play -

ing the game and playing it with the people she loves just lights her up,” Hesse said. “I will miss the carefree attitude she brings to the team, to practice every day and to the games…she just takes things in stride and sometimes I need more of that myself.”

While majoring in Child & Family Development and minoring in Disability Studies, Boze’s plan after graduation is to start her practicum at Mercy John Hopkins and Annie’s Hope - The Center for Grieving Kids and her master’s degree during the summer to soon become a child life specialist.

JADE MORROW Sports Reporter D@JadeMorrow15

softball

Photo by Missouri State University Creative Services

“I definitely think sports has helped me drive for success just in every aspect of my life.”

-Alex Boze

The post-graduate life Honest life advice from MSU Alumni

ALYSSA FARRAR Reporter D

With a graduate’s final month of school coming to a close, the end of one’s academic journey can spark a plethora of concerns. Many of those falling into senior burnout may be sluggishly counting down the days to graduation,or longing to take a well-deserved break from the city and from work. Others can be seen racing around trying to check off an extensive to-do list, as they are trying to make the most of uni-life before being greeted with the inevitable.

Despite these different outlooks of crossing the graduation stage to secure one’s diploma, entering a professional job space will be uncharted territory for the class of 2023.

Some of the uncertainty and excitement about adulthood can spark common questions. Is there anything my education has not prepared me for before entering my career field? How can I continue to meet new people without the social structures built into college life?

Recent university graduates that have been in this position have proven that perseverance is possible. Respondents to an alumni reflection survey from Missouri State University’s classes of 2018-2020 share advice on how to prepare oneself before fully stepping into a professional landscape.

“Get an internship right away in the first summer after your freshman year, even if it doesn’t pay,” said David Zahn, who graduated with an entertainment management degree in 2018, “Also, learn what you can outside of class by reading and/or watching YouTube videos. Develop a skill or take online certifications for fun.“

When it comes to self-teaching, Zahn and 2020 graduate

Spring Commencement

May 19, 2023

Great Southern Bank Arena

9 a.m. commencement

College of Humanities & Public Affairs

McQueary College of Health & Human Services

1 p.m. commencement

Reynolds College of Arts & Letters

College of Education

College of Natural & Applied Sciences

Samantha Burger, who holds an MBA in entertainment management, shared some honest struggles of their majors (in these cases, areas of entertainment management) that were not covered during their time at university. “[I wanted] more in-depth knowledge of what each job entailed,” said Burger, “or how to negotiate a salary.”

Zahn explains how being taught “copyright law but not nearly enough” was a learning curve he adapted to. Advice he would give to soon-to-be graduates is to remember “How important having a daily routine will be for the success of your life as a whole” and “don’t take life for granted.”

These alumni responded with

how many of their connections are made in the workspace.

“(Conversations) are very different in that as you get older the topics you discuss and relate on are more adult,” said Zahn. People interested in getting involved in their new communities can consider attending social groups, volunteering at non-profit organizations or going to local festivals to meet new people with similar interests.

Those who are not going to graduate school but still want to keep up-to-date with other Missouri State alumni can follow the Student Alumni Association, or join the Missouri State Mid MO Alumni Chapter where this graduate survey feedback stemmed from.

5 p.m. commencement

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