Informer - University of Sioux Falls

Class of 2012: Profile of Success
Kameron Wittrock
Hometown: Colton, S.D.
Majors: English and Media Studies
ACADEMIC EDGE: Wittrock can’t think of a class she didn’t like at USF. “It’s probably a
little geeky to say, but I loved all my classes so much.” English and writing classes were
her favorite. “I love to tell stories. Whether they’re creative and out of my own brain or
telling someone else’s, it’s just something I love to do. Between my English and media
studies classes, I had the opportunity to hone in on my writing skills and develop them.”
TOP TEACHER: Wittrock didn’t know if she liked Dr. Gerry Schlenker, associate
professor of media studies, at first. “He’s so authoritative. I was terrified of him as a
freshman,” she admits. That quickly changed. “He’s got a good sense of humor. Once you
get to know him, he’s so relatable and easy to talk to. I’ve had him for all of my media
studies classes.”
ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION: Wittrock and a friend have joined forces to launch
their own marketing company, Hooverheights Media. They specialize in video and
photography work, but they hope to become a full-fledged media business offering web
design, advertising and more in the next five years. “It’s really great to be my own boss. It
allows me to make my own schedule and work at my own pace,” she says.
NON-STOP FUN: Sure, college is about learning, but it’s also about fun. “It was great
living on campus. You never knew what was going to happen,” she says. “Someone could
knock on your door at 1 a.m. and ask if you wanted to go to IHOP or just play a game in the lobby.”
Rashelle Smith
Hometown: Holdrege, Neb.
Brandon Hanson
Major: Exercise Science
FAMILY TRADITION: Smith’s parents, brother and other members of her family all went
to USF. But Smith wasn’t sure she was going to follow in their footsteps until she set foot
on campus. “It was a really spiritual experience when I got here. I just loved the campus,
and I’ve loved it more ever since.”
PROFESSORS WHO INSPIRE: When you’re in a class with Professor of Biology Bill
Soeffing, you’re not just learning about science, Smith says. “He talks about real life
and how it applies to what we’re learning, and how it fits into today’s world.” Associate
Professor of Exercise Science Rebecca Schultz tops Smith’s list of favorite professors, too.
“She’s a great teacher inside and outside of the classroom. She’s how I got interested in
going into physical therapy.”
NEW EXPERIENCES: Since USF is a relatively small school, Smith was able to get
involved with a lot of different activities. During her freshman year, she was in the musical
production The Producers. “Only about 20 percent of the people were theatre majors. I
don’t think I would’ve had the opportunity to be on stage if I had gone to a bigger school.”
TIME TO TRAVEL: Not everything can be learned in a classroom. That’s why Smith took
advantage of opportunities to travel throughout her college career. She went to Italy with
the choir, and she went to the Holy Land, Israel and Egypt with the theology department.
“They were life-changing trips.”
GROWING WITH GOD: Through her time at USF, Smith has grown as a Christian. “I
didn’t go to a Christian high school, so we didn’t talk about religion in class. Here I have
been motivated to grow more spiritually and become closer to God.”
Kameron’s post-graduation plans: launching her own marketing company.
Hometown: South Sioux City, Neb.
Majors: Communication Studies
and Theatre and Art
Rashelle’s post-graduation plans: physician assistant program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Brandon’s post-graduation plans: moving to New York City to pursue an acting career.
ON STAGE: Hanson’s been in several different stage productions at USF. His favorite was
last fall’s Time Stands Still, a drama about two young war correspondents who wrestle
with humanitarian concerns. The small cast of four tackled a script that dealt with a lot
of taboo issues, “and how to raise the conversation about those kinds of things with the
people you love.”
FAMILY OF ACTORS: Hanson’s USF theater colleagues aren’t just friends, they’re like
family. “Everyone is going through the exact same things you are, so right away you form
a connection,” he says. “They’ve been my family for the last four years, and I’m sure they
will be in the future, too.”
PLAYING THE PART: Acting allows Hanson to learn something new every day. “With
every show, you play a different character, which usually requires research on some new
topics or areas of life,” he says. “I love it so much.”
TOP TEACHERS: It’s hard to single out just one favorite professor, Hanson says. “They’re
all so amazing. But my two advisors – Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and
Theatre Kim Bartling and Assistant Professor of Graphic Art Design Jan Hildebrand –
each taught me so much and really set an example for me about doing what I love.”
FOLLOWING HIS FAITH: Faith brought Hanson to USF, and it’s what sustained him
through his years on campus. “It’s great being around people who are so passionate
about their faith,” he says. “My faith was pushed and tested and challenged, and my
understanding of God has deepened. That’s something I’ll take with me the rest of my
life.”