Students and alumni often say that Gustavus will always have a special place in their heart. Usually, it’s four years that people remember for the rest of their lives because of the friends they’ve met, professors that have taught life lessons, involvement in activities, and being immersed in the Gustavus culture.
After graduation, most Gusties will go their separate ways, to attend grad school, find an internship, take a year off, travel abroad, or start a career. Each student will find a path to take, and sometimes that path may lead back to Gustavus.
Campus is filled with former Gustavus students educating current students and telling stories that might not be different from their own experiences.
“The indefatigable “Gustie spirit” is alive and well,” Meghan Krause ‘00 said.
When alumni return to work on campus, they return to the Gustavus culture with new perspectives but still hold a love of the college.
“As a student, you experience the Gustie Spirit and learn from the amazing faculty and staff, get involved in numerous activities and have access to tremendous mentors. I so value the opportunity to have experienced the mentoring and care of the faculty and staff as a student and then to be a part of that mentoring and caring environment as an employee,” Tim Kennedy ‘82 said.
Currently, Gustavus is filled with alumni working in all different departments across campus. Some faces are ones that you see everyday, but might not realize that they are Gusties. Here are seven alumni whose paths have led them back to Gustavus.
“Colleges are complex places – politically, financially, etc. – but it’s always been apparent that this a special place,” Charlie Potts ‘01 said.
Jill VanOsdol ‘10
“It is fun as friends of mine come back and to hear them say they really miss Homecoming, or they really miss campus—what is great for me about working here is that I never miss it.”
Charlie Potts ‘01
“My favorite part of being a Gustie is how people talk about this place. I’ve worked at a few other places, and alums often say they attended the institution or what their major was… but nearly every Gustie I meet says “I’m a Gustie!” before anything else. That sense of pride in the institution and the sense of being part of something bigger than any individual is pretty cool.”
JoNes VanHecke ‘88
“I continue to experience Gustavus as a caring community filled with amazing people. Gustavus was then and still is to me about valuing relationships.”
Tim Kennedy ‘82
“I have literally hundreds of very special memories of the 36 years that I have been a part of the Gustavus community, but watching my two daughters develop into bright, energetic, and caring young women thanks to the efforts of the Gustie family over the past two years has been the highlight of my career at Gustavus.”
Richard Aune ‘81
“The students are similar to when I was a student and their impact on Gustavus and beyond is what makes my work so satisfying. Spending time with them is the best part of working here.”
David Newell ‘03
“I think as a student, it’s easy to believe that the college is not making decisions with your best interest in mind, or it can be easy to be frustrated by something that didn’t go your way – but now as a staff member, I know there is a great deal of care and consideration that goes into each decision that impacts students.”
Meghan Krause ‘00
“Find what brings you joy and focus on it. Yes, I am advising you to commit more deeply and to fewer activities. Employers look for depth; they don’t look for breadth.”
-Erika Clifton