Zach came to Hanover as a two-sport athlete. He decided to give Greek life a try and found so much more than a campus activity. Zach, a double major in communication and business, unexpectedly found an expanded family. Tell us about Greek life’s impact on your life, Zach.
– Hey, Alex, thanks for the introduction. Being a first-generation college student, I didn’t know what look for or really even to expect when selecting where I wanted to go. Coming from a small high school and being an only child, I really liked the community Hanover had. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I felt at home and ended up finding a second family I didn’t even know existed: Greek life. Coming into Hanover, my parents really wanted me to focus on my studies, and being a dual sport athlete already kind of worried them so you can imagine their thought when I said I might join a fraternity. At Hanover, great members supported me immediately. They helped me get a job on campus, and many of the members even offered to help me study considering that we shared majors for classes. Not only did I get better grades, I gained an entire brotherhood who have made my college experience unforgettable. Since Hanover has a deferred recruitment period, you have an entire semester before you’re eligible to join an organization. This allows interested students an opportunity to explore each Greek chapter. Our smaller pledge class is definitely make it easy to bond, but one of my favorite perks of being Greek is getting to live with my brothers. Living in the house has also brought some of my closest friends. From Run Night when we accept new members into our chapters to the first snow snowball fight of the year, traditions are rooted deep in Greek life here at Hanover, but my favorite tradition by far is Wiffle Ball and May Term. Not only do we get to compete against other chapters, unaffiliated students, and even our own brothers, we get to do it for a good cause. Philanthropy is important to our Greeks, annually hosting over 20 events for our local communities all the way to our nationally partnered nonprofits. Four years ago, I never imagined I’d learned so much from my brothers and call myself a fraternity member. Hanover hasn’t just taught me what community is, it’s proven what it means through brothers, sisters, friends, and family. That’s all for me, Alex, back to you.
– Thank you, Zach. There’s nothing quite like a large family. Hanover has four national fraternities and four sororities. These Greek organizations frequently come together in the name of charity, donating funds from initiatives ranging from dance, marathons, and football runs to the annual Wiffle Ball Tournament, which often features more than a hundred teams and has now been running for more than 30 years. Absolutely incredible, Zach, thank you for sharing your story.
A 650-acre wooded campus, miles of natural trails, more than a dozen waterfalls and convenient access to a historic river town, Hanover is perfect for lovers of the outdoors like Kara, a double major in sociology and business. Kara, we are looking forward to hearing about life on the bluff. Please take it away.
– Hey, Alex. How’s it going, everyone? I’ve always had a passion for traveling the outdoors so I knew when it came time to choose a college, I would have to be somewhere I could spend hours of time outside, and at Hanover I get to do just that. Located right on campus, you’ll find hiking trails and waterfalls, not to mention the best views of the Ohio River. On campus, we have tons of outdoor activities for students such as disc golf and a low ropes challenge course. I’ve had so many opportunities throughout my time as a student here that I know I would not have had anywhere else. One of those, being the opportunity to help kickstart the Outdoor Wilderness Leadership program, more commonly known as OWL, and play a role in getting more students excited about getting outside. Some of the things I’m most proud of during my time as a student here at Hannover are being able to double major in business and sociology while being involved in many clubs and organizations like OWL. You don’t have to just explore the trails on campus, a 10-minute drive from Hanover will land you in Madison, Indiana. Madison holds a designation as the nation’s largest Contiguous National Historic Landmark District, more than 130 blocks. You’ll find local eats, shopping, and scenic views all around this river city. Some of my favorite things about Madison are the many coffee shops and unique restaurants. This community is also home to Clifty Falls State Park where you’ll find many more miles of hiking trails and several waterfalls. Leaving this beautiful community will be very bittersweet. I will miss all the faculty and staff but I know the memories I’ve made here will last with me for a lifetime. I can’t wait to come back for future exploration and reunions. See you on the trails, Alex.
– That is awesome, Kara. Hanover’s massive campus is great for students who like to get outside for everything, from hiking and disc golf to studying and just lounging around. And nearby Madison, wow, this river town is a sightseer’s dream. It’s absolutely gorgeous here. Thanks for sharing, Kara.
Okay, everyone, meet the charismatic Pablo. He traveled more than 4,000 miles from Spain to continue his education and tennis career right here at Hanover. He quickly found a place to call home where, quite possibly, everyone might just actually know his name. Pablo, que pasa?
– Thanks, Alex. Hola, everyone. The last year in Spain, I spent most of the time playing tennis in a competitive level while getting my high school degree in order to get a good scholarship in a well-recognized school. It was my eventual coach, Coach LaRue, that call me two days before I made my decision and told me about the business program, the culture on the tennis team, and the beauty of this campus, and I decided to come here, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Being an international student, opened me many doors on campus, and I’ve been able to meet many people through the past four years. Since my first week on campus, everybody has welcomed me as students knew I was from a completely different country and they wanted to make me feel like I was home and learn about me and my culture. Hanover offers you many possibilities to be involved in campus as 90% of the students are part of some clubs, teams, organizations. Touring moment kind of start as soon as you arrive on campus. I’ve been part of many aspects of campus life and know almost everyone I pass when I’m on campus or in classes. As a four-year member and tennis team captain, I have grown on and off the court. I’ve also serve as a treasurer of the International Club, work in the dining hall, and support the students as a Spanish tutor at the Gladish Learning Center. It’s easy to ask for help here. I even held the marketing and communication department with occasional projects. As you can see, I have a full plate but Hanover offers you many opportunities and a good environment to work and play. Coming all the way from Spain to Hanover to get my degree has helped me to become the person that I am today, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Sweet ride, Pablo! Hanover’s campus community feature students from all across the US and around the globe, and it’s easy to make friends and be known here. Students connect and get involved in so many ways at Hanover, whether it be through classes, meals, athletics, and clubs, or even campus jobs. You definitely can find your niche right here at Hanover. Gracias, Pablo.
Singer, dancer, mentor, and leader, Cara has firsthand knowledge about opportunities to get involved and express yourself on campus. A double major in music and psychology, Kara plans to use her education to guide events and help couples create the wedding of their dreams. Kara, the floors are yours.
– Thank you, Alex. Hey, everyone. When I was younger, I was a pretty shy kid who was full of dreams and creativity. I always had a love for following my passions no matter what. Hanover College has given me several opportunities to express myself whether that’s been in the arts, through campus jobs, or even being in charge of your own club here on campus. You can definitely find something that you love. Two of the most influential parts of my Hanover experiences has been through choir and campus jobs. Choir has given me several opportunities such as creating long-lasting friendships and even getting to travel to Bulgaria to perform in our own concert tour. All of these experiences let me to pursuing a music major. Networking on campus had led me to two different jobs: I’m a peer advisor and a peer mentor for the first year students here on campus. It has been amazing to help guide the first year students through their Hanover College journey. Greek involvement is a popular part of campus life, being in a sorority has changed my life for the better. I have gained a new family to laugh and share memories with. Another inspirational family has been the dance team. Being president comes with lots of responsibility and dedication, but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. Once my time wraps up at Hanover, I get to call the Magic Kingdom Home as I participate in the Disney College Program for seven months. I hope to one day combine these educational experiences to help other people’s dreams come true as I become a wedding and event planner. Back to you, Alex.
– That’s awesome, Kara! Singing, dancing, even performing across Bulgaria, it’s hard to picture you as being shy. Hanover’s nurturing culture provides many avenues for students to grow into the best version of themselves. Students have so many opportunities to try classes, clubs, and other activities to pursue their passions. Thanks again, Kara.
Soccer captain Luke was drawn to Hanover by the opportunity to continue playing his favorite sport at a high level. Celebrating victories and even a historic tournament run have not been the only things Luke has experienced since donning a Hanover jersey. Got more than you expected, huh, Luke? Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. What’s going on, guys? Coming out of high school, I wasn’t quite sure what was in store for my future but I knew one thing, I wanted to play college soccer. My senior year, I visited Hanover and spent the day with Coach Wilkerson touring the campus. And I was sold. I wanted to play for the Panthers. I will always cherish every season I got to play for Hanover College, but my senior year specifically was very special. We played the conference championship game at home and won it in dramatic fashion in penalty shootout. We then went on to the NCAA tournament where we made school history. We defeated two nationally ranked teams then advanced to the Sweet 16. It was the first time in school history. Men’s soccer is not the only team that has shown recent success. Many of our sports teams often win their conference championships and then go on to compete in national tournaments. The men’s soccer team has a deep sense of family, players come from all around the world to play college soccer here all the way from Brazil and Paraguay to right here in the Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky regional area. Your teammates become your brothers. You share each other’s ups and downs whether it’s celebrating good grades in a classroom or consoling your teammates when we lose a game. I will always cherish these moments on and off the pitch with my teammates. Playing Division III athletics is not possible without a love for the sport and a love for competition. Winning championships for Hanover College with the people I love by my side is an accomplishment I will never forget. Now back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Luke, and congratulations on a great season. Nearly 50% of all Hanover students are athletes on one of the college’s 23 intercollegiate sports teams. The Panthers compete at the NCAA Division III level and as a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Hanover has recently earned the Commissioner’s Cup twice signifying the Heartland Conference’s most successful athletic program. Incredible. Take care, Luke.
A left brain, right brain tug of war happily collides with sports, theatrics, and music with Katie, a biochemistry major with an art minor, a prime example of the liberal arts at work. You can also find Katie enthusiastically juggling her academic pursuits with intercollegiate lacrosse, improv comedy, and Hanover’s drumline. What’s happening, Katie?
– Thanks, Alex. I gotta be honest with you, guys, as an incoming freshman, I was pretty terrified of college, but I wanted a fresh start. I knew I wanted to meet as many people as I could and find an active, fun-loving, and supportive campus community. And by the end of Hanover’s August Experience, I knew I’d found the perfect college for me. August Experience takes place on campus before classes start, and it’s a week full of fun and exciting activities all meant to prepare incoming freshman for their first year of college. I met so many of my friends this week and I got to join many campus organizations as well. Now I rock out with the incredibly talented Hanover College Drumline at football and basketball games, and I perform on stage with our hilarious improv comedy group called the Evil Petting Zoo. I even play ultimate Frisbee when we’re not in season for lacrosse. While balancing all of my activities and still completing all of my coursework can get a bit challenging sometimes, I know that all of my coaches and professors have my back if I needed to take some time for myself. As a biochemistry major, I’ve always had a love for the sciences, but being at a liberal arts college means that I can also pursue my other passion: art. I never thought I’d have the time to get an art minor, but after talking to some of my professors, I was even able to take an art class my first year here. I came here looking for a fun-loving and active community, and wow, did I get one. I’ve gotten to meet so many amazing people, do things I never would’ve imagined I’d do as a college student and I’ve only been here for a year. The opportunities both inside and outside the classroom are truly limitless here, and I cannot wait to see the person I become by the end of my time here. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Katie. Hanover’s approach to the liberal arts allows students to combine their academic interests, students can even design their own majors, throw in an endless array of student organizations and activities. There is really no limit to what you can do right here at Hanover. Cheers, Katie!
At Missouri Southern, you’ll find innovative outdoor learning areas, such as 40 acres of native prairie, beehives, a wildflower habitat, and a biology pond. One of the most innovative offerings is the advanced medical school partnership with Kansas City University’s Joplin campus. You’re senior pre-med major, Rebekah, to tell us more. Hey, Rebekah.
– Thanks, Alex. During my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to go to college to study medicine, but I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go. My decision would be based on the resources and the academic preparation that my chosen university would provide me. This decision was basically made for me the moment I got a brochure in the mail advertising MSSU’s Yours to Lose program. In short, Yours to Lose is an accelerated premedical program offered here at MSSU in partnership with Kansas City University, Joplin. Students complete a bachelor’s of biology in three years with guaranteed acceptance in a medical school after graduation. YTL students also have priority enrollment and medically tailored general education courses. This sounds way too good to be true, right? Well, I thought so as well until I got an interview. Interview day consisted of meeting current YTL and KCU students and faculty, while touring both campuses. And let me just say, I loved what I saw. What solidified my decision in choosing MSSU and YTL is touring MSSU’s cadaver lab. MSSU is the only undergraduate institution that provides an accelerated pre-medical program where students get experience in a cadaver lab. MSSU’s advanced human dissection course allows students to have an opportunity with a first patient who happens to be a whole body donor. Through systemic dissection and research, students make a case for probable cause of death, which is then presented to an audience of peers. This course is a pre-med student’s dream. Soon, I will be starting my first year at KCU and that’s all in thanks to YTL. This program has given me a community of high achieving like-minded individuals that I was able to relate to the first moment I stepped on MSSU’s campus. Having a group of people that are collaborative, not competitive, has not only made me a better student, but has prepared me more for medical school than I could have ever expected. Back to you, Alex.
– Rebekah, thank you so much for sharing your experience with Missouri Southern’s Advanced Medical School Acceptance program. Getting your bachelor’s in biology in three years and having a confirmed spot in the KCU Medical School cohort is huge. Best of luck as you continue your journey at KCU Joplin.
Here at MSSU, the Global Leaders Program at Missouri Southern is designed to cultivate and develop globally minded leaders and enhance their personal, professional, civic, and academic experience. We’re joined now by Zach, a freshman who says the opportunity to develop his leadership potential was one he couldn’t pass up. You are on, I’m excited about this one. Please take it away.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. When looking for a college, I wanted to find somewhere where I could explore a variety of different majors, enjoy the outdoors, and of course play my favorite sport, football. While checking out Missouri Southern, I was especially intrigued to join a program designed to cultivate leadership potential. The Global Leaders program at MSSU, was a match for my academic aspirations, allowing me to develop relationships and leadership skills with a close knit group of people. During my first semester in Global Leaders, I was able to attend a retreat with my cohort. The guest speaker was super energetic and engaging, it really got me fired up about the program After you complete 30 credit hours, global leaders program offers a $4,000 stipend that can be used for international travel, undergraduate research, or travel to academic conferences and other events. I’m always looking for my next adventure that can pursue my passion in marine biology. With this being said, I’m currently exploring opportunities to travel near the water. We also got to hear from speakers sharing their thoughts on leadership development from business owners and CEOs to even the vice admiral of the US Navy. High achieving students can also find a home in MSSU’s Honors Program. It offers a specially designed academic path designed to challenge and provide a distinguished learning environment. The program embraces the study abroad experience, offers an annual speaker’s series, and a scholarship program that covers 6,500 per academic year. The leadership experiences I’ve been afforded both in the classroom or on the field are gonna be super valuable to my future. I can go on forever, but that’s in a nutshell. Now, back to you, Alex.
– Zach, thank you for sharing and we’ll be looking forward to great things from you as you take your experience in Global Leaders into the world. With a scholarship program, engaging curriculum, a speaker series, and the $4,000 stipend that can be used for overseas travel, and more. It’s an amazing opportunity for students at Missouri Southern to explore and expand on their leadership potential. Take care.
One of the hallmarks of Missouri Southern State University has always been its ability to offer a full university experience with a personalized feel, allowing students to make meaningful connections. Jose, a marketing major from Guatemala says he found a home away from home when coming to MSSU as an international student. Jose, please take it away.
– Gracias, Alex. As an international student from Guatemala, I always think of day I had to leave my hometown, friends, and family so that I could pursue my dream of studying here in America. Yes, having a quality education was a huge factor of deciding where to go. I was also choosing my home outside of home. Throughout the years, MSSU has truly become my second family. As a student who is part of the LGBTQ plus community, I’m grateful to become part of an environment that values my unique individuality and appreciates my cultural differences. One thing I enjoy the most here is the school’s multicultural and diverse learning experience, a safe space where I can share my ideas with professors and other students from different countries and backgrounds. Like their modern language department, which offers many opportunities for international students to succeed in their classes. I was extremely grateful when I found that this department offers an intensive English program, which helps international students improve their English skills. They also provide language tutoring services where students like me get to help others in foreign languages such as Spanish, Japanese, and French. Here at Southern, I’ve enjoyed the many recreational activities and clubs offered. International prom being one of my favorite events to attend. Not only did I get to DJ, but I got to gather with other students and celebrate who we are and where we come from. We danced, ate, and had a blast. Now the big question, what comes next? Well like my mom always says, whatever you do, do with passion and hard work, and the rest will follow. I am proud to say that I was able to start an online business. With my family support and the skills I’ve learned from MSSU, I was able to grow this business and show my Guatemalan people that every dream is possible. That’s all from me, Alex, back to you.
– Thank you, Jose. It’s great to know MSSU is a diverse, welcoming campus community where you are able to feel at home while embracing the opportunities from the international community. Missouri Southern is a place where students, whether they’re from the US or like Jose, from abroad, can follow their dreams and find a place to shine. Thanks again for sharing.
Joplin, Missouri is known for being a major hub for healthcare with not one but two major hospital systems. Ashlynn, a senior in the paramedic program is joining us now to tell us how students interested in the health sciences will feel right at home at MSSU. You’re up, Ashlynn.
– Thank you, Alex. Hey, y’all, welcome to the Emergency Medical Services Department. I’ve never been able to answer the question, what made you go into EMS? I always say I belong here. However, I didn’t know there were so many branches of EMS I could be involved in before coming to Missouri Southern. I transferred from a junior college with the intent of only doing the paramedic program. From the get go, my instructors connected with me. Early on, they saw I had this passion for EMS, so they introduced me to the bachelor’s program where my eyes were open to more ways I could be involved in the career. I obtained my paramedic license, and now I’m about to graduate with a bachelor’s in health science, with an emphasis in EMS education, by doing an internship guided by one of my instructors. EMS isn’t the only thing the health science department offers in the healthcare field. There is nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory care, radiology, and healthcare administration. All of our programs offer interactive hands-on learning environments. From a state-of-the-art lab simulating a hospital environment, to serving the community in our fully functioning dental clinic. The work I’m doing here is just the start of lifelong plans I have for myself in EMS. Missouri Southern opened doors I didn’t even know existed, and I’m so thankful for that. That’s my story, back to you, Alex.
– Thank you for sharing, Ashlynn. From an ambulance simulator to clinical internships with regional providers, to the simulation center for the interdisciplinary clinical education, and serving patients from around the area in the MSSU Dental Clinic, the health sciences are yet another area where Missouri Southern has made hands-on experiential learning a priority, and that is awesome. Take care.