MBU Senior Stories 2019
Get to know our MBU graduates
Kristianna Pirrie
B.M.E. (Bachelor’s of Music Education) | Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Sports/Organizations:
Choir, Opera/Theatre, MBU Ringers, NAfME, SWACDA, NATS
Favorite MBU hangout?
Choir! Duh!
Favorite spot on campus?
The practice rooms in CFA
Favorite Perk drink?
Apple Orchard Tea Latte with Soy
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
I would tell myself to be present in every moment instead of rushing from one event to the next. College flies by too quickly!
Tell us your favorite MBU memory.
There’s too many to choose from! Probably my senior recital or a Chamber Choir/MBU ringers concert. Making art at MBU has been a sweet, sweet blessing to my life!
Funniest memory?
Experiencing the incomparable Tyler Gruen as Lord Farquad in Shrek: The Musical (or ANY comedic role at MBU!)
What does being a Spartan mean to you?
Being a Spartan means identifying the gifts the Lord has blessed me with and refining those gifts to shine His light and glory in the world.
What professors/staff inspired you and why?
Dr. Jason Mallory and Dr. Jordan Cox have both inspired me to pursue the Lord’s calling on my life with tenacity and excellence.
How has MBU impacted your faith?
MBU taught me what it means for the Lord to be completely sovereign in His plans for us, and there is nothing I can succeed in or fail at that will separate me from His love.
How has MBU prepared you for your future?
The skills I have acquired and refined during my time at MBU are entities I am proud to offer in service to the Kingdom. These skills are unique to my training at MBU in all the ways the Lord needs them to be in order to fulfill His specific plan for my life.
What are your next steps after graduation?
I will be continuing to teach private voice, musical theatre, and acting at Gateway Center for Performing Arts, as well as preparing for a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy.
Faith Strautmann (Reynolds)
B.S. in Psychology, minor in Ministry and Leadership | Hometown: High Ridge, MO
Sports/Organizations: Cross-country, Track and Field, Resident Assistant for 3 semesters
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
The advice I would give to my freshman self is to not over commit to different activities. Other than that, I do not regret staying up late with my roommates and then having practice the next day at 6am, or playing games in the freshman dorm lobbies. Freshman year is the easiest academic year, so make memories with friends and teammates. Also, get to know your professors on a personal level; you will grow from it.
Favorite MBU hangout? The Quad
Favorite spot on campus? The Village dorm area, or the trail behind the Chapel
Favorite Perk drink? Vanilla Latte
Tell us your favorite MBU memory.
My favorite MBU memories come from practicing with the track and field team. We would push ourselves so much during practice and encourage one another in-between each set with high-fives and while saying, “You got this.” We worked together as a family, and when one was down, we would pull them back up. During our cool-downs, we would always laugh and say something silly to our coach that would make her laugh, too.
Funniest memory?
One time, I wanted to see how many people would take off their shoes on The Quad and walk around barefoot on the grass. I was in a silly mood, and it started with me and a couple teammates. Pretty soon there were about 20 people with their shoes and socks off walking around in the Quad doing summersaults and rolling down the little hill by the stairs. We had a lot of fun! Another story: I was a freshman, and I was sitting in my dorm and had just taken a shower. I got all my homework set up next to the open window to listen to the pouring rain that was coming down. Every now and then I heard this loud laugh, and eventually I hollered out the window and asked if they were playing in the rain. They were. So without hesitation, I ran outside and started playing with them. We found a bunch of mud and started throwing it at one another and slipping and sliding. Once we were all covered in mud, we decided to run around campus and say hello to anyone we ran into! It was pretty funny.
What professors/staff inspired you and why?
I have had wonderful professors at MBU, and it is hard to just pick one to write about. The ones who have influence me most are Dr. Brand, Coach Goodwin, Dr. Puls, and Dr. Grossmann. Dr. Brand helped shape me into the Christian woman that I am today. She has given me and so many others such insight into living life with Christ at the center. The things she helped prepare me for the most in her class called Personal Adjustment was marrying my amazing husband! Coach Katie Goodwin has had a huge impact on my life. She is someone who inspires me to never give up and to run towards the goal set before me. I admire that she cares about every athlete. She is just as excited if our number one girl has a good race as she is if another girl breaks her personal record but gets last place. I admire that my coach does not just see a bunch of athletes on the team, but instead she sees precious individual lives.
How has MBU impacted your faith?
MBU has had a strong impact on my faith. I have grown closer to God through the influence and light shown from people at MBU. It is amazing how staff and good friends want to really know how I am doing, and show me the love of Christ in what they do and say. It is wonderful to have professors, coaches, and friends encourage me to walk closer with God and get to know Him more. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of the MBU family.
How has MBU prepared you for your future?
MBU has prepared me for different life circumstances that will come my way.
I have also learned a lot through life-experiences at MBU. I would say I learned an equal amount in the classroom and outside of the classroom to be ready for the career that I am pursuing.
What are your next steps after graduation?
I will be looking for a job as a social worker at a non-profit organization.
Pablo Hernandez
B.S. in Physical Education and Education K-12 | Hometown: Ames, Spain
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
Be open to people and get involved in the community. Get to know the people around you and let them get to know you. Build strong relationships and friendships — and MBU has a great and healthy environment for that. Get involved in the community here and the different activities that are offered. Also, enjoy every moment because four years of college go by faster than you think.
What are your next steps after graduation?
After graduation, I am going to go back to Europe and pursue a professional basketball career. After my professional basketball career, I would like to become a college basketball coach.
Dani Jo Stevenson
B.S. in Communication Studies, minors in journalism and public relations | Hometown: O’Fallon
Sports: Women’s Tennis
Favorite spot on campus? The Perk or SRC
Favorite Perk drink? Vanilla Wafer or anything iced
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
You are going to fail at times and that is okay — enjoy every failure along with every victory the next four years, because they go just as fast as everyone says they do.
Tell us your favorite MBU memory.
Being a part of the MBU Womens tennis team. I have loved every memory I have made with my team and they have truly become my family.
Funniest memory?
The lip sync competition in the Perk.
What does being a Spartan mean to you?
Being a Spartan means being able to find yourself and do so in an inspiring and safe environment. Being a Spartan is being a part of a family.
What professors/staff inspired you and why?
The whole MBU Communications staff is incredible, but Dr. Staggenborg and Dr. Means in particular had a large impact in my life. I have Dr. Means to thank for discovering my love for journalism, and fostering and encouraging that path and passion. Dr. Staggenborg has been such an inspiration and asset in my college career. She not only impacted me academically and mentored me in my field but also shed a light on what I wanted to do as in the future well as prepare me for stepping out into the professional world. I have learned so much from both of them and I am so thankful for the time and dedication they give to their students and classes.
How has MBU impacted your faith?
At MBU, I had the ability to be around people who strengthened my faith. From teachers and staff to peers and teammates, being surrounded by people who had similar beliefs as me and were there to support, challenge, and better me was invaluable. Having that kind of community is so important and not many people get that in college.
How has MBU prepared you for your future?
MBU has prepared me for my future by giving me the opportunity be able to put into practice all that I have learned in the class room. The real life experiences and opportunities that I have gotten in my 4 years here are immeasurable. They have made me feel confident that I am ready to step out into the work force (or whatever I chose to do) and succeed. MBU gave me the tools I needed to build a future for myself.
What are your next steps after graduation?
I will be working full time after graduation (currently deciding between several different offers) and I begin attending grad school for Speech Language Pathology in the fall!
Jonathan Nathaniel
B.S. in Sport Management | Hometown: Chicago
Sports: Track & Field
Favorite MBU hangout? The Quad
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
To my freshman self, I would say don’t be afraid to try new things because you never know who you will meet and what opportunities will be given to you.
Tell us your favorite MBU memory.
Freshman year Welcome Weekend.
What does being a Spartan mean to you?
Being a Spartan means you are held to a high standard and you should present yourself with integrity and honor.
Favorite Perk drink? Mango Smoothie
What professors/staff inspired you? Professor Guy Danhoff and Mark Sissom
How has MBU impacted your faith?
MBU impacted my faith by being consistent for me. Being away from home made it easy for me fall out of faith, but being around a faith-based community help me continue to be strong in my faith.
Favorite spot on campus? SRC Lounge
What are your next steps after graduation? My next step after MBU is to find a full-time job in the recreation or sport field.
Haley Sandvoss
B.S. in Public Relations, minors in journalism and broadcast media Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Sports/Organizations: Cheerleading Team, Chorale, Chamber Singers, MBU Theatre, Food Service Committee, MBU Timeline Online, MBU Timeline Broadcast and Tech Crew for the Spartan Digital Network.
Favorite MBU hangout? The Perk
Favorite spot on campus? Outside on the patio of the Rotunda
Favorite Perk drink? White Chocolate Macchiato
What advice would you give to your freshman self? I advise freshmen to not be scared or worried with what is lying ahead of you. People say that time flies when you’re having fun and let me tell you it does. Your freshman year is when everything begins and the friendships grow. Get involved and have fun!
Tell us your favorite MBU memory.
When a fellow peer on campus told me to make a fashion blog and I actually pursued what she said and did it! I try to dress as trendy and up to date, just because it’s my style. That then led to me getting constant compliments and questions on what I was wearing that day. The dailyhaley is an MBU campus trend now. I post pictures of what I am wearing, blog about myself and clothes and tag each store items are purchased to help others out. When I pass friends and classmates they refer to me as the dailyhaley and I’ve been trending ever since!
Funniest memory?
During one of our many snow days, I went sledding with some friends on campus and we went over to North Hall. We were all taking turns going down the big hill and when it got to one of my friends we reminded her to jump off at the bottom, (there is a creek with trees you don’t want to go in). She then went down the hill and didn’t attempt to stop, she flew off the sled, did a backflip and went head first into the creek submerging in water. All of us at the top of the hill with our mouths open in shock, stood in hopes to hear she’s okay, we waited a solid 10 seconds until she screamed HELP. We then ran down the snowy hill, pulled her fishy smelling self out and walked her back to our dorm. Remember to always jump off your sled!
What does being a Spartan mean to you?
Being a Spartan means having a home to come to for the next four years. A Spartan to me gets involved on their campus and strives to help others and have fun while doing so. They welcome their fellow peers to talk with open arms and pray for one another in their time of need.
What professors/staff inspired you and why?
Dr. Jordan Cox, has inspired as well as encouraged me through words of wisdom he gives during his classes. He speaks to his students with a genuine purpose and tone of inspiration to do and be better. We might all be having a hard day or even a bad week and he will stop class and preach to us, whatever God tells him we need and it is always words we need to hear. Then he will pray over us and inspire us to help others in their time of need like he helps us in our time.
How has MBU impacted your faith?
MBU has given me faith. I came here saying I was a Christian but not truly knowing my Lord and Savior, not knowing how good and valuable he really is to have a part of my life. Going to chapel, hearing the message and talking and connecting with people on campus have really turned my life to the better. At first I was scared to come to school here for how I would get judged and looked at, now I am proud to attend here and love the school for how much I love the Lord and how he has a big part now in my life. Following the Lord has really calmed myself and put me in such a better place of mind and I am so happy to continue on with life knowing I have someone always there for me.
How has MBU prepared you for your future?
MBU’s courses have prepared me for my future by giving me real life experience. The upper level courses I took gave me the experience to not worry about what lies ahead. The communications department is full of teachers and professors that are willing and wanting to help you every step of the way in your education. The communications department has become a home for many students, welcoming us to come and talk about anything anytime and just speak what is on your mind. The friendliness of the communications department has helped me through my education to strive to never give up.
What are your next steps after graduation?
My next steps after graduation is working in the public relations field. I’ll be living in St. Louis and working in public relations, as well as planning events and doing video production.
Chance Ludy
B.S. in Business Management | Hometown: Foristell, MO
Sports/Organizations: MBU Basketball, Resident Life, Student Government Association, thePerk barista
Favorite MBU hangout? Pillsbury Huff Lobby
Favorite spot on campus? The Perk
Favorite Perk drink? Iced Honey Latte with Sweet Foam
What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t spend so much money on late-night Taco Bell runs.
Favorite MBU memory?
My favorite MBU memory is the first time I found out that I was going to be an RA under my favorite boss at MBU and with such a great group of guys to work with.
Funniest memory?
My funniest memory was playing baseball on The Quad with all students around going to class and my pants fell down when I got up after diving to catch the ball.
What does being a Spartan mean to you? Being a Spartan means that you never stop pushing forward and always continue to move through the toughest of situations because God has our plan already mapped out.
What professors/staff inspired you and why? A staff member that really inspired me was Stephen Crain, the former Resident Director of Pillsbury-Huff Dorm, when first coming to MBU I was just a student and after getting the RA job under him I learned what it looks like to be a Christian, through discipleship with him and working with him for three years now I also know what a Christian marriage looks like and I have learned so much from him and I can’t thank him enough.
How has MBU impacted your faith? MBU has impacted my faith so much it’s hard to describe. I grew up in the church but quickly fell out and since coming here and the people I have met, I am now a true believer and follower of Christ who is now a member of a church and baptized within the past two years.
How has MBU prepared you for your future? MBU has prepared me for the future in a lot of ways they gave me knowledge I can take into the real world but most of all, it gave me a place to be proud of that I went there and it gave me lifelong friends.
What are your next steps after graduation? My next steps after graduation would be getting a job somewhere in hopes to eventually start my own restaurant in St. Louis.
Jordan Foster
B.S. in Business Administration | Hometown: St. Louis
Sports/Organizations: MBU Institute for Leadership, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Association of Black Collegians (ABC)
Favorite MBU hangout? The Cafeteria
Favorite spot on campus? The Quad
Favorite Perk drink? Iced Caramel Macchiato with almond milk
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
College goes by faster than you anticipate. Take it seriously and always think long term. Make as many connections as you can. Make a lot of memories. Don’t be here any longer than you have to.
Favorite MBU memory?
Dr. Chambers dancing in the Quad to ’80s rap music. Breaking a 4x4 board in Self Defense with Mr. Kimzey.
Funniest memory?
Prank wars with my roommates the last two weeks of school.
What does being a Spartan mean to you?
Being a Spartan to me means being part of this “SpartanHood” with people who want to see you succeed, you just have to get out there and find them.
What professors/staff inspired you and why?
Dean Bradford, CeCelia Bonds, Mark Pribonic, Dr. Deese, Dr. Delicath, Dr. Chambers, Dr. Lacey, Lara Hines and Aaron Lumpkin. All were involved at different times in my collegiate career, and they’ve always given me the urge to push harder for greatness at anything I was doing and they were very supportive.
How has MBU impacted your faith?
MBU impacted my faith by seeing other side to Christianity and religion as a whole. I’m the daughter of a minister so faith was something that I was very familiar with. I think my college experience played a big part in me seeing how important it is to have faith in this process.
How has MBU prepared you for your future?
MBU prepared me for my future by commanding me to learn how to effectively express myself beyond cultural boundaries.
What are your next steps after graduation?
Next steps after graduation are to go into the world of finance and management as a trading services representative or event planning. After a much needed break I may go back to school to become an interior decorator.
