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UJ: A Worthwhile Experience – Weston Gunther

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I have been an English Education major here at UJ for more than four semesters now. I would describe my experience here as worthwhile.

My professors have challenged me to actually make the effort to learn in their classes. They demonstrate that they know what they are talking about; yet, they haven’t been detached from me or my peers. They are professional, yet personal. I know I will leave UJ with a quality education.

My Favorite Things About UJ

Some of my favorite things about UJ are the student organizations. I have participated in several clubs including Cru and the history club, where I have made some really good friends.

Since I’m only one of three English majors in my class, student organizations have been a great way to connect with people who share common interests with me. I like clubs so much that I actually started a chapter of a national club called the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Club.

Why I Love College

I love college, because it is where conversations happen. People have completely different worldviews and opinions, so they get into great conversations. These conversations are meaningful because they facilitate critical thinking, which in turn, helps people grow closer to the truth. Conversation has definitely characterized my time here at UJ—probably more than any other time in my life. I love it.

I have also enjoyed my time being a cellist in the pit orchestra for the fall musicals. I like that I don’t have to be on stage, but I still get to contribute. Like playing a sport, I feel like I’m a part of a team.

I’m a Resident Assistant in Kroeze Hall this year with freshmen, and it’s crazy to think that I’m already a junior. Time flies when you’re having fun…and studying hard.

Student Entrepreneur: Carlynne Folkstad

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By: Alyssa Schrull

We often hear these dramatized stories of successful businesses starting in garages, but have you heard of any starting in a dorm room? That’s exactly what Carlynne Folkstad has done. She began Poppy’s Clothing Co. this last year in her dorm room. The website describes the company as: 

“Poppy’s Clothing Co. is your go-to source for styles influenced by the latest fashions with an added flair. We aim to inspire our customers to be the best version of themselves and to be confident in their own skin – and of course, their outfits.


Our vision is fast-paced, forward-thinking and fashion-centered at its core, and all of our products reflect these ideals. We invite you to browse our site to find just what you have been looking for. Look good, feel good, shop Poppy’s Clothing Co.“

Carlynne started the company because she wanted to bring affordable and cute clothing to women. She finds joy in helping women and wants to make sure that every person that comes to her company is happy in their skin. She enjoys being able to connect with customers all over the country, but being a business owner isn’t always easy. Carlynne has to work hard to compete with other companies.

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She said that the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur is “competing with all the different companies out there and making yours unique.” The job is a lot to juggle. As we were talking she had to take a phone call to deal with some business matters. 

Her day-to-day responsibilities as a business owner include managing an inventory, getting orders, preparing the packages, keeping track of financial statements, sending out packages, and adding new products to the website. Most peoples dorm rooms are scattered with old microwave diners, dirty clothes, and maybe some homework. In contrast, Carlynne’s room is strewn with products and inventory. She said, “I keep my inventory in my dorm room closet”.

Her room triples as a home, an office, and a warehouse. When I came over her kitchen table had shoes, shipping labels, boxes, and tape on it. Carlynne apologized for the mess and explained that she was getting ready to ship out some orders. 

But beyond all the responsibilities of being the business owner of Poppy’s Clothing Co., Carlynne Folkstad is also a student majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and industrial management, and minoring in criminal justice, leadership, and honors. She is the president of the Jimmie Janes, captain of the trap shooting team, ARD of Kroeze, a Jimmie Ambassador, a member of the entrepreneurship club, a marketing specialist for Wittheur Financial Group, and works as a server at a restaurant in town. Alright you can take a deep breath now. 

Carlynne is tackling a lot but she wouldn’t be able to do it without her Grandfather’s influence. The company is actually named after her grandfather, Poppy, who has inspired her and encouraged her to put her heart into what she does. This influence explains her ambitious and determined personality. Her grandfather is a military veteran, and because of that, she donates ten percent of all sales to military veterans.

Carlynne encourages us to “support small businesses (because) you’re giving someone the opportunity to fulfill their dream”. She teasingly adds, “Come buy clothes from me”. 

You can find her website at http://www.poppysclothingco.com and her Instagram under @poppysclothingco 

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One Last Ride – Allan Pruss

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By: Allan Pruss

As we embark on the fourth year of Jimmie Hockey existence, I and 18 other Seniors will be on our last journey of Jimmie Hockey. This group of Seniors, with the help of many others, built this program to what it is today.

It’s not often that you get to spend every day (during the school year) with the same group of teammates for four years – not many people can say they have even had that opportunity in their lifetime. It’s been truly special to build this program from the ground up and set the standard for Jimmie Hockey. And it’s safe to say we have created bonds and friendships that will, without a doubt, last a lifetime.

Come May, it will be bittersweet as we will walk the stage together and pass this program down to the next class.Our Brand

On the ice, we have built our identity around being a fast-paced, tight-checking team. We look to push the pace, be physical, and create an exciting environment in the John L Wilson Arena. Jimmie Hockey is a relentless and fearless style of hockey where everyone shares an “all in mentality.”

The commitment from Head Coach Dean Stork and our Strength Coach, Ryder Weischdel, has given us all the tools for success and helped us to showcase our skills to the best of our abilities on Friday and Saturday nights.

Jimmie Hockey on the ice before the game.

Jimmie Culture

None of this success would have been remotely possible without the continued support of the students, faculty, and the community. As a player, it’s so easy to be motivated to play your sport when you look into the stands and see your professors, classmates and the community cheering you on while wearing Jimmie Orange. Jimmie Hockey thrives off the support we receive, and we hope over these past few seasons, we have created an exciting product to watch.

So, thank you, THANK YOU Jimmie Nation for taking us in and supporting us, and being there every step of the way. The culture that has been created around the school and athletic department has been tremendous, and as a team, we hope we have been able to grow that amazing Jimmie culture.

UJ Hockey with hockey playing kids.

Many Places

Being from Western Canada, the Midwest was foreign to me, but it’s not anymore. Jimmie Hockey has taken me through not only the Midwest, but all over the United States – places like Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, and Missouri, as well as Texas and Ohio for National Championships. These trips have strengthened our bond as a team and been eye opening for all of us. It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t give Kim, who is undoubtedly the best driver in the world, a shout out – so, thanks Kim!

The adventures with this group have been endless and the memories will last a lifetime.

Allan Pruss with 2 teammates on an outdoor arena under the lights at night.

Transferring to UJ – Sydney Hollingsworth

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Sir Jimmie Blog

It is hard to believe that nearly two years have gone by since I transferred to University of Jamestown.

Sydney Hollingsworth posing in a phone booth with friends.

Coming as a transfer student in January 2018, I never realized the impact this campus would have on my life. Going to a junior college in California for the first two years of college never really gave me the sense of what campus life was like at a University…not to mention what the true meaning of extreme weather was. Going from class to practice and back home again never really allowed me to have a connection to my school or even to the community.

When I came here to UJ, that all changed.

My second home

Being a student at University of Jamestown is like having a second home. I can always count on someone to give me a smile when I walk by, to hold the door a little bit longer (so I do not have to struggle to reach my ID), or even just to give an early-morning wave hello on the way to my 8 a.m. class.

University of Jamestown is a tight, inclusive community that I am going to miss.

Sydney Hollingsworth

Joining the soccer team

I have had the opportunity to be a part of and participate in many amazing experiences, but by far, the experience that will forever stand out is the day I joined the soccer team. That day, I joined a family that will forever have an impact on my life.

I have met my forever friends here and being on a team with such supportive, compassionate, kind, and amazing women has made it so hard for me to even think about leaving. Two years ago, I would never have thought little old Jamestown, North Dakota would have an everlasting impact on my life. But here I am – forever changed.

This soccer career of mine has not always been the easiest. I have faced a lot of adversity but never gave up. Through surgeries, rehab, and countless practices and games, I have always pushed myself to never give up, no matter the pain.

Finding the willpower to do so would not have been possible without the help of the people here at UJ. As an athlete who has faced her fair share of injuries, I struggled with the balance of rehab and supporting my team; yet, through those struggles, my team’s support for me remained constant. The amazing Athletic Training staff (shout out to Camden), has been there through it all, and I will always be grateful for that.

Sydney Hollingsworth selfie with teammates on the field.

To my coaches…

Coach Becker and Coach Jack: thank you for always being there for us in so many different ways. Through any hardship, whether it be in soccer, school, or just life in general, we can always count on you!

And to my teammates…

I am so thankful for all of you. You are the sisters I have always wanted but never had. The love and sense of family we share with each other is something not everyone gets the chance to experience. I wish our dance parties in the locker room, pregame prayer and cheer, the long bus rides, and staying in the “lollipop hotel” would never end. I could not have asked for a better group of strong, supportive women to finish off my soccer career and end my college journey.

Sydney Hollingsworth hugging teammates after a goal.

Being a Jimmie

Being a Jimmie is something that will always live on in me. From the basketball and volleyball games, to the study groups in the library, the morning coffee dates at the Java Hut, and Marge’s omelets, nothing can ever compare to University of Jamestown. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had here and for the relationships I have built that will continue through my lifetime. It is such a cliché to say, “these are the best years of our lives” …but they truly are.

It is such an honor to be a student at University of Jamestown, and I will be an even prouder alum come May. Though these two years went by much faster than I had hoped and imagined, nothing will ever beat being a Jimmie!!

#RollJims

University Bookstore Provides the “Jimmie Connection”

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By Tess Haugrud

The Jimmie Connection Store is not your typical college bookstore – it is so much more.

From selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and sweatpants to coffee mugs, water bottles, blankets, and home decor and so much more, the Jimmie Connection Store appeals to a wide variety of customers.

The store has sales periodically throughout the school year and has clearance items toward the back of the store. Some of the items they have for sale are Jimmie crew sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, pajamas, socks, jackets, blankets, water bottles, home decorations, car decals, scarves, gifts, hats, and school supplies. As of right now, they are having a sale on all kinds of books like novels, Bibles, medical dictionaries, guitar beginners books, and a variety of textbooks.

Throughout the year, the Jimmie Connection Store offers door prize giveaways for things such as water bottles and gift cards to keep customers interested and to bring more people in the store to check out their deals. Emails are sent out to students with sale item information, so be sure to check your emails!

The workers at the store counter are friendly and willing to help. When asking present worker Orlando Rosa Jr.how he likes working at the Jimmie Connection Store, he replies with, “I love working here because you get to meet with people and talk to them as they come in to see the merchandise. We typically have good deals going on and change out our stuff to match the student needs and wants so that’s really cool that I can be a part of that.”

The store hours are:-

-Monday – Friday: 9AM-4PM

-Weekend: Times differ due to special events and sporting events happening on campus

Along with the main Jimmie Connection Store in the Lyngstad building, the University of Jamestown has a smaller, separate Jimmie Connection Store in the Newman Arena that sells similar merchandise items but different clothing items, so be sure to check out the other articles of clothing during, before or after the sporting events held in the Newman Arena! The hours for the smaller Jimmie Connection store depend on the timing of sporting events.

The Jimmie Connection Store provides the campus with loads of Jimmie gear and supplies to show school spirit and support our fellow Jimmies students, staff, and faculty.

Stop by the store throughout the week to see the deals happening and be sure to check your emails for upcoming deals the store will be putting on.

Welcome To UJ! Advice For Your First Weeks of College Life

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By Madison Solwey

  1. Try. That’s all you have to do is put in a little bit of effort. In your classes, relationships, studies, or going outside of your comfort zone. Try new clubs and intramurals. If a campus organization even mildly peeks your interest, try it out. Go to a sporting event or cafeteria by yourself because you will meet people. You get out of it what you put into it. If you are trying to make friends or just want to check out something new, you are making an effort and that is all that matters.
  2. Procrastination is NOT your friend. I was a major procrastinator in high school, and even though I managed to scrape by, I brought so much anxiety and stress upon myself. College is a whole other playing field. Even if writing that Freshman Comp paper is the last thing on your mind, do it anyways. You will feel so much better once it is done. Putting off a giant presentation until the night it is due will only cause you pain and suffering. Work on things a little bit at a time to ensure you are getting the maximum quality that you can out of yourself.
  3. Manage Your Time. Getting a planner or monthly calendar to hang on your wall will help you out tremendously. Schedule everything that you believe to be important. That includes homework, clubs and activities, social outings, and even some down time. The last thing any of us college students need is to burn out. There will be too many things going on to be stressed. Having a planner will not only keep you more organized, but it will help keep your mental health in check. With less stress and more organization, you will be so much better off.
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