Academics

Tag: Alumni

  • Angela Erickson ’01

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    harrietanderson

    What Does It Mean To Be a “Gustie For Life”? When Erickson was looking at colleges, she thought Gustavus wasn’t an option. “I didn’t think I had the resources to attend a private school,” she says. “But my high school counselor said that Gustavus would support me.” That counselor was right. Erickson’s financial aid package…

  • Megan “MJ” Johnson ’18

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    harrietanderson

    “In rejecting the ‘have to’ script, I have become the change I wished to see in myself.” The first year was a bit of a rough start for this first-generation college student. “I came to Gustavus feeling like an incredibly serious student. I felt like there were things I had to do, like study communications…

  • Matt Berkner ’19

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    harrietanderson

    “All in, what happens when you commit to being uncomfortable? Growth. And wins. Berkner had a solid plan: He would go to the University of Minnesota and become a dentist. Then one day in high school, in his hometown of Sleepy Eye, a Gustavus football coach approached him after a game and asked him to…

  • Maddie Miller ‘20

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    harrietanderson

    “My time in the Gustavus Theatre & Dance Department really pushed me to explore all sides of myself as an artist through careful reflection and consideration of my creative intentions. This has taught me to be resilient and open to change which have both been essential in the current global climate.”

  • Sydney Sutherland ’22

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    harrietanderson

    “I was initially drawn to Gustavus because of the opportunities to work both onstage and backstage. As I got more experience, I was drawn to stage management and assistant stage management because I was able to view the full scope of the process, and found joy in taking on a leadership role within the department.…

  • Lillian Kline ’22

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    harrietanderson

    “In my first two years at Gustavus I had several tastes of what physical theatre is, and the difference between ensemble based work vs. doing a show with casted roles.  I was part of a student directed physical theatre piece, Tethered, took a performance J-term that paired Suzuki acting technique with Viewpoints, and was part…

  • Kjerstin Anderson ’22

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    harrietanderson

    “Designing the costumes for The Misanthrope allowed me to get into a top grad school and gave me the confidence to chase after what I want.” Theatre Major, Kjerstin Anderson, shares her experience in the Theatre and Dance Department. Designing the costumes for The Misanthrope allowed me to learn so many things, like the general…

  • Astrid Axtman ’22

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    harrietanderson

    “I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to create this piece as it challenged me as a choreographer, leader, and strategizer.” Dance major, Astrid Axtman, describes the experience of creating and performing a dance piece. It felt empowering to be trusted and given full resources to create and produce a feature dance with…

  • Skylar Abrego ’20

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    harrietanderson

    “Born into hockey and raised through her Gustie profs, she’s the current graduate assistant in Gustavus Sports Information.” It started when Communications Studies professor Pamela Conners said to her, “I think you’re holding yourself back.” Abrego had planned on becoming a teacher, but she loved Conners’ class Public Discourse far more than she loved her…

  • Mula Lay ’22

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    harrietanderson

    “All you need is a microphone to make a podcast. And some editing software. And some stories. And a student champion with a great voice for radio.” His first major was computer science. But like so many Gusties before him, Lay questioned his first choice when the poetry and stories he was writing were competing…