Business Management Major
What made you choose Heidelberg and when did it start to feel like home?
I chose Heidelberg for two reasons. On my visit, I enjoyed the school's small-campus vibe. I intentionally wanted a college experience where I could be a person rather than a number, and Heidelberg fit that requirement well. Secondly, I chose Heidelberg to pursue my lifelong dream of playing college basketball. Heidelberg started to feel more and more like home each time I ran into Mindy in H-Mann. Mindy scans us in at the cafeteria with the most genuine and welcoming presence I've ever felt. Genuine people like Mindy made Heidelberg feel like home.
What moment at Heidelberg made you feel most proud to be a Student Prince?
As I watched the men's basketball team win the conference championship, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. I felt extremely proud to be a student here while they accomplished something so monumental. I'm so proud of all those guys. I know it takes hard work and continuity to achieve in the OAC.
What’s a class, club, or activity you joined on a whim and ended up loving?
I joined Multimedia Storytelling with Professor Richard Talbert solely because of the word 'storytelling' in the course name. I see the world is ruled by stories, and the greatest storytellers influence society the most. When I saw this class in Oasis, I had already received the message from above that one day my stories would inspire society to heal, grow, and live authentically. On the first day, I was so intrigued I went the whole 50 mins without blinking. I was blown away by Dr. Talbert's knowledge and expertise. As a movie enthusiast, I was happy to see someone else show just as much appreciation for every detail, shot, and word in each film. My favorite creative outlet is movies, so I love every chance I get to learn at the Gem Center. What started as a whim turned into a class that peaks my interest most.
What relationship or friendship here has meant the most to you and why?
David Ferguson. DJ is only one year older than me, but he taught me mental concepts that are of someone who's been here before. He showed me what it means to really get 1% better every day mentally, physically, and spiritually. Ferg gave me the game of life, but one thing stuck with me the most. He told me that it's always you vs. you. There's no one in the way of what you want to achieve in life; it's on you to dismiss every excuse that tries to infiltrate your mind. Shoutout DJ
What opportunity outside the classroom shaped you the most?
The opportunity to attend the Charles H. Wright Museum with the Black Student Union transformed my brain chemistry in the most positive way. It was a cherished experience to learn more about my ancestors' story. This opportunity moved me the most because one of my goals is to create a museum that gives the experience of time-traveling from when we were kings and queens to the modern day. The root of the black struggle is not knowing where we come from. "If you don't know where you've been, you don't know where you're going", as my grandmother says. The museum I create will light a flame in the minds of black boys and girls with 'we started as kings and queens, not slaves' engraved in the ember.
What is a lesson from college that you will carry with you forever?
College taught me to be an effective communicator. Linda Detwiler, the professor who impacted me most, was the first to notice my tendency to shift between introvert and extrovert. Her attention to detail brought something to light that I, the biggest overanalyzer in the world, couldn't even detect. Some days I was a social butterfly, other days I didn't speak at all. Furthermore, her advice to me was to pick a side. I was too inconsistent with what side of me I presented to people. This leads me to the lesson college taught me: how to be a people person. I can confidently and vibrantly speak to anyone in the world. College helped me realize that no matter if you work at McDonald's or you're the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, you will have to deal with people. Over my four years I became exceptionally good at communicating.
What memory still makes you smile, no matter what?
It's double-sided. I remember coming to overnight orientation in June of 2022. I was nervous yet excited to meet my future classmates. It was an extremely fun night full of laughs and confused faces as we learned euchre from Dean Abrams. Fast forward to 2026, and this group has gone from stardust to luminaries. I enjoy the memory of seeing where we started our college journey and who we have become. All on different paths to our rightful place as stars.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen about how to be successful at Heidelberg?
Find what you love to do. Once you find it, put as much life force into becoming the best you can be at whatever it is you love. Use these four years to learn who you truly are because once you find that out, you'll see what matters most. Try new things that you're gravitated to with an open mind. Even if you aren't good right away. We live in a society where we're frowned upon if we aren't masters on our first try. So, let me be the first to dispel the conditioning of this wretched society... Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, and Mike Tyson all started somewhere before they became great at their craft. With consistency and hard work, you can be one of the greats too.
What are your plans following graduation?
I recently accepted a job offer with Amazon as an area manager in Toledo, Ohio. Therefore, I plan on relocating to Toledo from Louisville, Kentucky, after graduation. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
Finally, what’s one thing you hope never changes about Heidelberg?
I hope Heidelberg remains a Tree Campus forever. All 16 of my seasons as an undergrad were all full of change. I set out a goal to evolve mentally to a place where my faith defeats every fearful thought. My college journey to becoming my highest self culminated in a complete metamorphosis into someone who can finally look himself in the mirror without looking down. Change, in the name of evolution, was the only constant in my college years. I say all of this to say, the trees gave me hope! I watched them lose their leaves, experience cold winds that nearly blew them away, and be deprived of the Sun's love for months, but they stood tall through it all! Every spring, I rejoiced with the trees as they completed another cycle of change just as arduous as I did. I'm grateful to be graduating during nature's rebirth. Genuinely, I hope the trees' spirit of strength and resilience will forever populate this campus.