Colorado Student Calls Crete Home

Written by Rachel Ryan ’13
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Nebraska was never in my future plans.  I was a high school senior and Colorado native in the spring of 2009.  I was counting down the months toward graduation, but I still needed to find a place to further my education.  I was looking at other schools in Colorado, but nothing felt right.  I wanted a place that would present me with unique opportunities to grow and prosper in my adult life.  I needed a place where I could try different things and figure out what academic areas I liked best. 

Possibilities for a future in Nebraska started to sneak into my plans when I least expected it.  I found Doane at a college fair in Aspen, CO.  Actually, Doane found me.  An energetic Doane College admissions representative (who I later learned was alumna Sarah Franzen Begay ’96) was tucked away in a corner ready to share this Midwestern gem with anxious, prospective students.  Her knowledge and excitement sparked my interest, and she sucked me in with the Doane story.  Before I knew it, I was taking my first of many trips to Crete, Nebraska to sign with the Doane Women’s Golf Team.  I packed my bags at the end of summer, moved into Sheldon Hall and am pleased to have been able to call Doane my home for the past four years.

I am pleased to say that Doane has helped me develop from a quiet kid to a confident leader in the past few years.  As a member of the Women’s Golf Team, I am able to use my experiences to lead younger teammates and encourage them to continue the legacy.  In the classroom, I am filled with an eagerness to excel, empowered by critical thinking, and challenged to apply lessons to real world situations.  I was given the opportunity to promote social networking plans for businesses, develop feasibility studies for a Doane campus in downtown Crete, and produce revitalization plans for Sokol Hall.  These are all skills that give students a distinct advantage over peers from other institutions.  I wish all young people had a chance to experience this, which means making Nebraska a part of their future out-of-state plans.  It was something I had not even considered until it was almost too late.  I would have missed out on a lot.   

Nebraska (Doane College especially!) is a good place to be.  I even used the refer-a-student program for my cousin in California. It was easy and our admissions office was quick to get in touch with him.  They offered him options that other schools have not. I have first-hand experience of how Doane can change your life and so do you.  We need your help to roll out the welcome mat to out-of-state students.  I urge you to share your experiences with other young adults that would be a good fit at Doane.  Take the lead and pass on these experiences to help our community grow.  Refer an out-of-state student today and keep our school strong.