Hometown: Brandon, SD

Year: Sophomore

Major: Vocal Ed.

Minor: Coaching

Involved in: Football, President of Pickleball Club

Professors and staff walk beside you and guide you through the ups and downs of college. Who is a faculty member who has impacted you positively? How? 

I enjoy the campus size. Our faculty truly wants to know you and will help you succeed in any way they can. I think that it is not too small that you are going to have the same experiences every day, but still small enough to get individualized attention from faculty. Many of the faculty know who you are and what you’re involved and interested in, and you can count on them if you have adversity during your schooling. All of the issues I have had can be solved by a simple email and conversation.

New and renovated campus facilities are world-class and inspire you to create. What is your favorite campus facility? 

NSU’s facilities are second to none. I have taken advantage of our many practice rooms, state of the art weight room, and other football facilities. Northern continues to innovate and advance our technology and facilities; we are always adding new buildings and methods of learning to our campus to aid our students in their personal and professional careers.

Community 

The city of Aberdeen is a very tight knit community. There have been many times where I have gone out into the community and have had meaningful conversations with people that have a connection with Northern. I have had the opportunity to meet some of my scholarship donors from music and athletics and have the same experience with all of them: they want to see students succeed, and make sure that they have the resources they need to earn a degree from NSU.

Community 

Leave no stone unturned when it comes to choosing an institution to study at. Any questions that you may have about higher education can be answered by current students, faculty or coaches. Personally, I did not have questions during my college visit but I did later after having some days to think about it; emailing back and forth with students and faculty helped me discern what I wanted in college experience. This decision is all about what steps you want to take for your future and how you want to see yourself in the next couple of years. Section 3: Integrity: Stretch yourself, say yes to new opportunities, and take chances in learning and leading in a place where people want you to succeed and help you when you fall.

New Adventures 

I have had the honor of co-founding the Wolves Pickleball Association, which brings an indoor activity to campus. This was a new experience for me and has taught me a lot about leading and doing some logistics work behind the scenes. Creating a student organization at NSU was straightforward as all you need are five members and a faculty advisor. I think it is a very good way to get involved and exercise while meeting new people and fostering friendships. Though I dislike the logistics, it is very fun to see my hard work paying off and students have fun while exercising.

New Adventures 

I have learned so much playing college football at the DII level, and have made many connections with my teammates. One of my favorite memories on campus was the day of the Wayne State game in 2023. My friends and I played pickleball in the morning to loosen up our legs while having a bit of fun before we had to report for the pregame meal. We ate together, then talked to people from the community before heading to the stadium for the Wolves Walk. The Wolves Walk is one of my favorite traditions before football games, when the team takes a short walk behind the band to help hype up the community and the players before the game. It was a night game and we ended up winning 28-26 in the last minute of the game. This was the exact moment I knew that I had found my home. I got to celebrate a close win with some of my friends, teammates, and the Aberdeen

What is your favorite thing/activity to do in Aberdeen? 

Favorite thing to do in Aberdeen: Pickleball at Manor Park

What is your favorite place off-campus to hang out?

 Odde Ice center Wings game, open skate and hockey

My favorite thing about NSU is… 

My favorite thing about NSU is the tight knit atmosphere on campus. There is a big wealth of knowledge on campus from students and faculty alike, and will help students feel more at home and get the resources they need to succeed. It is very hard to fail at Northern unless you do not try.

Why did you choose Northern? 

I chose Northern because it was the perfect blend of athletics and academics for my situation. I instantly clicked with the coaches and team, met faculty that are in tune with my personal values, and created relationships with students that centers around my interests and hobbies.

When I’m not working, I am… 

When I am not working, I am either studying or working out for football season. I also spend time organizing pickleball and making sure everything is in order. I enjoy singing in ensembles and learning about music from other people

A motto I live by is… 

A motto I live by is: “Get at least 1% better at something today.” I used to employ this strategy for sports, but I have learned it makes sense for everything in life. If I can at least grasp a new concept, I am well on my way to understanding and mastering it. I feel as though half of the battle is starting whatever you are doing, and the rest will come to you after the fact. There are only two things that we as individuals can control: our effort and our attitude. Start with those two building blocks and you have a strong foundation to succeed at whatever you are doing.