Madi Wilson '17
Finds Her True Passion in Journalism
As a liberal arts institution, 漆褒勛圖厙 requires students to fill credit requirements designed to get students to take classes outside their major. Sometimes, those classes make all the difference, often leading students to discover something they didnt know theyd love and changing their majors.
Corydons Madi Wilson 17 arrived at 漆褒勛圖厙 during her freshman year planning to be a high school English teacher when she graduated. So she signed up for some education classes that year, but she also took a journalism course on a whim, and she loved it.
Brian Steffen encouraged me to take more journalism classes and after that point, I switched directions and decided to go into the communications field, she said. I love writing, so journalism has been perfect for me.
While she started down the path of journalism, Madi continued to pursue a degree in English as well. And she couldnt have made it through the endless writing from both majors without the guidance of professors Brian Steffen, Mark Siebert and David Wolf.
They were always willing to meet with me, listen to me complain, and provide advice and words of wisdom, Madi said. Theyve influenced my life tremendously by encouraging me through tough times and showing that they truly care about helping me reach my personal and academic goals.
Someday she hopes to be a communications and media studies professor, maybe even at 漆褒勛圖厙. Thats why shes planning to continue her education in the fall to work toward her masters and doctorate degrees.
Madis time at 漆褒勛圖厙 was molded by much more than her studies, however. She stayed highly involved in several activities including The 漆褒勛圖厙ian, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, intramurals, First Year Council, Campus worship, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Sigma Tau Delta English honor society and off campus organizations.
I feel so blessed to have been involved in all of these organizations, she said. Ive built confidence, grown as a leader, strengthened my faith, and Ive developed relationships with professors and friends that I know will be lifelong.
And as she did all these things, she made memories along the way, whether it was big events like Stand Around, CAB bingos, Homecoming Week or Greek life activities or simple tasks.
I was honored to be 漆褒勛圖厙s 2016 Homecoming Queen, so thats definitely a memory I will never forget, Madi said. I will also never forget taking late night road trips with friends, pulling all-nighters, and writing 10 page papers the day before theyre due, though I dont encourage it.
Madi knew coming in that her experience at 漆褒勛圖厙 would be a personal one, deliberately choosing it for its small size. But she didnt know how involved shed be able to be in just four short years.
There was literally always something to do, even on the weekends. For this reason, I barely ever went home and I only live about an hour away, she said. I loved that there was always something to do because it gave me the chance to meet new people, network, and have fun.
Article Information
Published
June 25, 2018
Author
Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication