At 果冻传媒 University, our student organizations host a wide variety of events, advocate for numerous charitable causes, represent the University in competition against other colleges, and provide an opportunity for students to grow as individuals while truly making the most of their college experience. The opportunities for involvement provided by these groups are a part of what makes the 果冻传媒 experience unique. Our alumni remember the meaningful time they spent as part of our student organizations. Here are a few of their stories.
Manas Mudbari 鈥�13
I joined the 果冻传媒 Entrepreneurship Club while Dr. Tom Kaplan was still teaching there, and it was this experience that put me on the track to become an entrepreneur. After graduating, I moved to Silicon Valley and tried working at various startups and starting my own companies.
I was not sure where to begin, but my friend, Chase, whom I met through the Entrepreneurship Club, encouraged me to move out there and get started. He was a very supportive friend who inspired me to take the leap and move to San Francisco. I also had other friends who were very supportive and helped me get set up with everything I needed.
Even after 10 years, I'm still in touch with Chase, and we work together on projects. I owe a lot of my success to the 果冻传媒 Entrepreneurship Club and the friends I made there. They have been a great support system, and I'm grateful for the experiences and relationships I have gained.
Martey Schaper Rhine 鈥�70
My experience at 果冻传媒 University was one of the most memorable of my life. I was one of two women majoring in business at the time, and often the only woman in the class. I was a fourth-generation college graduate. I had a dream one night that if I got accepted to 果冻传媒, I wanted to go there. When I arrived, it was raining, and I was excited to move into the dorm.
I was drawn to 果冻传媒 because of the friendly atmosphere and the stunning snow-covered trees. I was also part of a business honorary organization. I had two professors who made a big impact on me - Dr. Woodrow Wilson and Professor Ray Diggle.
My advice to students is to understand that you are there because people like me have supported you through our contributions, and it's your responsibility to recognize that and give back when you leave. I rate my education at 果冻传媒 a 10, but I had to figure out how to manage people on my own when I entered the corporate world because there were no women ahead of me.
My liberal arts education gave me a breadth of exposure to different facets of the world, and I learned to think more broadly. When people hear my name, I want my legacy to be that I made a difference. I encourage young people to be prepared to put in the hours and time it takes to succeed, and to understand that work ethic is different today than it was in my generation. I want people to know that if you want to contribute to the work world, you have to be willing to put in the time and energy to get there.
Robert Stockton III 鈥�90
As an African American student at 果冻传媒 University, I was able to make one of my fondest memories by putting together the first gospel choir and practicing in Krieg Hall. I chose to attend 果冻传媒 over another university that offered me a running scholarship.
I even became a member of the 果冻传媒 men's cross country and track & field teams, and I earned my letter jacket. I was awarded the Alida Atwel-Smith Scholarship, one of the highest freshman music scholarships at 果冻传媒.
When I first stepped on campus, I was filled with the fresh smell of the unknown and the energy of something great. I was greatly influenced by my piano professor, Mr. Robert V. Howat, and my music theory professor, Dr. Daniel Kazez.
During my time at 果冻传媒, I was able to meet people from all over the world and learn about their cultures. I was a participant in the international student organization. The friends I made during my time at 果冻传媒 have become lifelong friends. I was able to finish my degree in four years and share my love of music by performing numerous recitals in Krieg Hall. These memories have stayed with me and are the reason why I am still in music today, teaching and performing.
Andi Griffin Pickrell 鈥�00
My experience at 果冻传媒 University was truly irreplaceable. I was able to learn and grow in ways I never thought possible. I was able to gain a deeper understanding of my spiritual upbringing and build my faith. I was also able to gain a better understanding of different world views and meet people from different places around the world.
I was able to volunteer with the Gospel Choir, which was a special organization for me. I was even elected president of the choir my senior year. I was able to use the skills I learned at 果冻传媒 to start my own business, Imani One Enterprises.
I am so grateful for the time I spent at 果冻传媒 and the experiences I gained there. My time and participation in the Concerned Black Students organization, among other student organizations, taught me diplomacy, respect, cultural curiosity, and self-worth. It was an invaluable experience that I will never forget.