Mackenzie Hughes, a senior at MSU, reflects on her journey as she prepares to graduate, joining her family members who also attended the university. As a business administration major, Hughes has spent much of her time in Old Main, a building currently under renovation, which is steeped in familial history. Hughes has fond memories of campus life, especially relating to her professors who, as she put it, are concerned with their students’ lives beyond academia.
“The funnest part of college has been seeing professors in the building, because they’re not just our teachers,” said Hughes. Her particular bond with Rhonda Nelson, the Professor and Chair of the Division of Business, stands out as Hughes calls her a “college mom.”
Aside from academics, Hughes was active in sports, contributing to the basketball team’s back-to-back national tournament appearances. The relationships formed during these sports experiences were particularly meaningful to her. As she prepares to graduate and serve as a commencement speaker, Hughes plans to play basketball for a final year at the University of North Dakota (UND), with aspirations of a master’s degree afterward.
Like Hughes, MSU alumnus Brock Sherva also shares a deep connection with the university. Sherva, who graduated with a Business Administration degree in 2016, is CEO of Northwood Deaconess Health Center. He credits MSU for its supportive community, which prompted him to remain there after initially planning a transfer to UND.
Sherva highlights the importance of small class sizes and personal interactions with faculty, such as his relationship with Rhonda Nelson, that facilitated his educational journey. “It’s not your typical career course, but it speaks to the education you receive at MSU,” Sherva remarked.
Both Hughes and Sherva plan to stay connected to MSU. Hughes will return to visit, and Sherva will be present for his brother’s graduation on May 16. The shared history and familial ties to MSU underscore the tight-knit community and its impact on students’ lives beyond campus.
