Alumni Stories
Video: Opportunities at Hastings College help Polacek pursue art therapy
Since she was young, Josie Polacek, who graduated in May with distinction in psychology, knew she wanted to become a practicing art therapist and counselor. To do that, she knew she had…
Tippl aims to build community, support bars and restaurants
Four friends who met at Hastings College are living their dream of owning a business together — and helping their community while doing it. “We’ve always had the desire to start a…
Alumni come together after years apart to put on play
The play “Strong City” is full of Hastings College alumni. “We’re doing a sort of renegade reunion,” the writer of the play, Paige MJ Erickson ‘00, said, as the director and almost…
Starting up: Cermak mentors next generation of entrepreneurs
Levi Cermak ’18 has viewed life through an entrepreneurial lens for as long as he can remember. As a youngster, he sold candy bars and bookmarks to his friends and watched his…
Grefe ’05 redefines banking after 15+ years of service
As Kelly Grefe’s four year journey came to an end when he graduated from Hastings College in 2005, he had no idea where his career would take him. Now, after 15+ years…
Hall retires with record of helping students succeed
Brian Kloppenborg ’06 credits Hastings College math and computer science professor Dr. Mark Hall for saving his career. After graduating from Hastings College with a major in physics and minors in math…
Jensen to continue making sunshine into retirement
Dr. Byron Jensen, Professor of Music, is retiring from Hastings College after 19 years educating and inspiring students in Hastings, and 43 years after he first entered the world of music education.…
Darling ’03 leads Fontenelle Forest, inspires a love for nature
On a bitterly cold winter’s morning, Matt Darling ’03 points out the wonders of Fontenelle Forest Nature Center: 17 miles of hiking trails winding through 1,400 acres of upland forest and Missouri…
Sanford leaves comfort zone behind in content marketing career
As she made job changes, moved across the country and took risks, Marissa Sanford said it was important to “be okay with being uncomfortable for a little while” — advice she chose…
Ginkens says ‘yes’ to one of the biggest opportunities of her career
For as long as she’s lived, she’s played every sport. So it was no surprise that Ally Ginkens ‘20 would leave her hometown of Mullen, Nebraska, to go on and double major…
Appelhans pursues dentistry through residency in Pacific Northwest
Brooke Appelhans ‘16 dreamed of being a dentist since she was a little girl, which led her to pursue her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Hastings College. She is continuing to follow…
Teal ’17 credits Hastings College in finding her passion (video)
“I remember when I came here as a freshman, I was very much like, ‘I have to receive the training to go on to do the big things,’” said Laurel Teal ‘17.…
Knehans leaves comfort zone behind while continuing her education at CalArts
An advocate for continually exploring outside her comfort zone, Hastings College alumnus Cheyenne Knehans ‘18 is currently pursuing her master degree at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Knehans is in…
Building a better world of athletics: Female coaches In Human Performance
On Monday mornings at 5:00 a.m. most people are fast asleep, getting their last few hours of rest before starting another week of work. Human Performance coaches, however, are not most people.…
Liberal arts education prepared Mills for career in social media marketing
The prevalence of social media marketing in today’s society has produced job opportunities in a brand-new industry, one that Hastings College alumnus Casey Mills ‘08 has taken advantage of. Though his college…
Akotaobi aims to grow concepts of equity, diversity and inclusion
After graduating from Hastings College in 2006, Uzo Akotaobi had no idea where he would go. He just knew he needed a job in human resources where he could devote his career…