Our Stories
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…
Downing spends spring semester in Northern Ireland
Hastings College junior Emma Downing is spending the spring semester studying abroad at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Downing is taking courses in history and anthropology, which pairs well with her…
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.…
Close-knit community keeps Bosley coming back for more
The personal connections students make through Hastings College and the greater Hastings community play a critical role in student success — that’s one of the most important lessons Holly Bosley, a senior…
Students learn about diversity through writing multicultural children’s books
Learning becomes impactful when students see class concepts implemented in the real world, and such was the case for a Hastings College communication class earlier this year. During the class, students researched,…
Dudley-Doerr grants fund successful internships for Jagels, McCauley
Two Hastings College students are able to complete internships this year thanks to support from the Dudley-Doerr Society for Business and Economics. The Dudley-Doerr Society is a network of alumni who support…
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…
Jorgenson finds success at Hastings College on way to chiropractic school
The Hastings College Physical Education and Human Performance Department is filled with a diverse group of talented students — and Helena Jorgenson from Gothenburg, Nebraska, is one such student. A senior majoring…
Banks promotes small businesses through newspaper articles
Combining her passions for promoting small business and telling important stories, Hastings College sophomore Allison Banks has spent the last two years writing articles for the Hastings Tribune to promote businesses in…
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…
O’Neill seizes chance to work with Broadway actress Leslie Kritzer (video)
When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, most people jump at the chance. That’s exactly what Hastings College junior music student, Morgan O’Neill, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, did. In October, O’Neill’s vocal…
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…
Sedmak manages double major in chemistry, music
The Hastings College Chemistry Department is known for drawing a diverse group of students into the program with vastly different lives outside of the Morrison-Reeves Science Center, which is certainly the story…
