By Jasmine Pipella

A clean slate. A blank canvas. A new beginning.

Every euphemism you can think of for four vacant, expansive – dare I say boundless – years that stretch back to the beginning of my journey here at UJ.

I was never completely sure of where I wanted to attend college, and I certainly never thought that small town, North Dakota would be the answer. However, before I knew it, I met Coach Gall, came for a visit on campus, and committed to playing softball at UJ – saying goodbye to all my friends and family back in Canada!

Jamestown soon became my new home. Jamestown is the place where I have developed into my interests and passions. Jamestown is the place where I have found friends and peers that inspire me and support me. I have grown into communities and values that ground me here, rooting me whenever I waver and pushing me forward whenever I need to borrow courage.

The transition into college and living on my own was much easier than expected thanks to my supportive family and the incredible people at UJ. My first year was mainly focused on softball and learning how to balance classes with all things a college sport entails. After an injury and many hours contemplating, I decided it was time to hang up my cleats and transition into keeping myself busy with a plethora of other organizations and activities – all of which have played a role in shaping who I have become over these past four years.

One of the best things that has resulted from my decision to attend UJ is the quality education I have received. I am so thankful for the chemistry department and all of the remarkable professors that have always gone the extra mile to help me succeed, while pushing me to be the very best student and person I could be, even outside the confines of the classroom.

UJ is outpacing me, graduation still over half a year away, but barreling towards me with the horizon of a whole new kind of independence. Just as I feared entering college and learning how to make my own decisions, I fear what it will mean to leave Jamestown and learn, once again, how to move forward on my own.

College has been the most predictably unpredictable time in my life – but I am forever grateful for it.

To all the amazing friends, professors, teammates, and friendly faces that I have crossed paths with over the last four years – Thank you!

By Andrew Reed

The Look Beyond Committee is hosting an event that should excite as much as it will teach.

“Tabla: Indian Culture Through Drum” is a chance to take a step out of the comfort of modern American culture, and into a whole new world through the Indian drum, the Tabla.

“Tabla: Indian Culture Through Drum”, will feature a special guest appearance through Zoom from master Tabla drummer Dishant Thakkar. Dishant will be teaching the basics of playing the Tabla and some history and culture behind the Tabla and India.

I sat down with Dr. Kihle (Assistant Professor of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands) the moderator of this event, to gain further knowledge of the Tabla, and some insight into what will take place.

“He (Thakkar) is going to teach some Tabla drumming to participants.” Kihle continued with, “The second half is going to be Dishants thoughts and possibly participants thoughts on the interactions between Indian culture and American culture, how somebody from Indian culture experiences this culture and how people in this culture experience people from that culture.”

Dr. Kihle met Mr. Thakkar during both their times at Texas A&M Kingsville and when speaking with the Look Beyond Committee, Kihle brought up that he thought it would be a great opportunity to have Thakkar speak.

During our meeting, Dr. Kihle also added, “I hope that they will get a glimpse inside of a perspective that somebody who’s not from this country, and yet has experienced this country a little bit.”. He continued with, “And honestly, (I hope) they will appreciate what somebody else who’s not just like them is going through.”

The event is open to all students and is being held on Wednesday October 28th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the Voorhees Chapel. University of Jamestown COVID-19 protocols will be in place for this event which includes social distancing, masks and sanitizer and wipes.

By Kali Jensen

It was the summer before my senior year in high school when I began my college visits.

I scheduled several visits throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. My vision was set on a huge university in a large city. However, keeping my options open, I had a few smaller colleges and universities scheduled to tour as well.

After each college/university visit, I listed my pros and cons until I visited the University of Jamestown. I walked into Taber Hall, the admission office at the time, and knew right at that moment that the University of Jamestown was the university for me.

I walked in the entrance and saw my name. The smell in the air reminded me of my home church. At that moment of entering Taber Hall, I was overcome by the warm sense of having the feeling of home. I knew this was is where I wanted to receive my education before I even had a tour of the campus.

Moving four and a half hours away from home, I had a lot of emotions heading into the next chapter of my life. I knew this campus would let me continue my passion of elementary education, singing and my love for God.

The language of music
Prior to my Freshmen year at the University of Jamestown, I auditioned for the University of Jamestown’s Concert Choir. My audition landed me as a Soprano Two. I did not know at the time how blessed I was to be part of an amazing, talented group of individuals I would call family. Being a part of this Concert Choir family is an experience of a lifetime. I was blessed to travel to several surrounding towns, several states including the west coast and northeastern area, and internationally spreading our love of music.

Through the language of music, I have learned a lot about my choir family and myself. Each one of us has a unique life path; one of the paths includes music. When each of our individual paths meet, it is as if nothing else exists and we become one.

Music is not my only passion.
Another passion I have is my love of God. I was able to serve on the Worship Design Team for Chapel. As a disciple, I found joy in serving on this team and growing spiritually. This campus team has truly lived up to John 10:27.
“Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

It’s not always easy
My four-year journey on the University of Jamestown campus has been full of fun and excitement, but I would be lying to you if I said it was easy. Moving 300 miles away from home is not easy. Being 300 miles away from all family members is not easy. Moving 300 miles away from home, not knowing anyone, is not easy. All the unknowns are scary and hard. I have made many friends and have surrounded myself with people who encourage me to move onward and upward.

Quotes to live by
My moms push me to do better and be better. Each year, my moms give me a little quote for me to live by. They would send me these quotes in various ways. When in doubt, I recite the encouraging quote of the year. These few words would get me through the week and most often through each day.

Freshmen Year: You Got This!
Freshmen year is full of new things and uncertainty. I was by myself. I did not know anyone. I did not know where anything was on campus. I was new to town. I did not know anything about living on my own. I did not get the whole “college” thing.

I kept telling myself “You got this!” I made friends quickly. I found my way around campus. I asked many questions. I drove around town and found a great spot to watch the sunset at the reservoir. My professors helped me navigate college courses and pushed me to keep going.

Sophomore Year: Eyes on the Prize!
Sophomore year has many distractions. I have many friends. I was in the choir. I was on the Worship Design Team for Chapel. I sought out other campus teams and committees as well. There are many fun things to do on campus. Your time doing fun stuff can quickly consume your time away from studies.

I had to tell myself “Eyes on the prize!” I am at the University of Jamestown to earn a degree in Elementary Education. I needed to figure out how to balance fun, friends and education. With the focus of “Eyes on the prize”, I was able to balance education first and the rest fell into place.

Junior Year: Be the change!
Junior year was the year for change. Returning to college after summer break, I was not the same person. I needed to create and move towards my own path. I needed to be the leader of that path I was paving.

I grew that summer with a positive confidence and strength within myself that separated me from some of my peers. I had to remind myself to “Be the change!” and that it is okay. I began to like who I was starting to become. I had the confidence and ability to help others become the best version of themselves just as I did.

Senior Year: I can!
Senior year, then what? I have a new set of unknowns after graduation.

“I can!” I can move away from Jamestown. I can stay living in Jamestown. I can move back home to Minnesota. I can move where I find a job. I can further my education. No matter what I put my mind to, I can! If I can dream it, I can do it!

I have created many memories within my four years at the University of Jamestown. I have an amazing choir family. I am surrounded with individuals who love God, just as much as I do. I am blessed with Professors I can call friends. I have met several amazing people along the way.

Do not take your college career for granted. This educational experience is something I will never forget. I am excited and nervous for my next chapter in life.

My advice to everyone in any situation is to repeat after me:

You Got This!
Eyes on the Prize!
Be the Change!
I can!

By Devon Schultz

My experience here at UJ has definitely surprised me in a good way.

Before coming to UJ, I always imagined myself going to a big university with all my high school friends…especially being from a small town—I wanted to go somewhere new and experience the city life.

However, I could not be happier with the decision I made to come here. I thought that having a big class where I could just blend in and be a part of the crowd is what a wanted, but coming here has shown me that I wanted the exact opposite.

Having professors who care about you and know you by name encourages me to do well in my academics and pushes me to be the best I can be. It’s nice to know that if I need help with anything outside of college, I can call any of my professors and they will help me the best they can, no questions asked.

Coming to UJ has given me another family. I have never had a group of friends closer to me than I do now. Being on the basketball team and participating in concert choir have given me friendships that I will have for the rest of my life, and I’ve made memories that I will be able to tell my family someday.

There are so many great things that I never would have had or been able to accomplish without coming here. Some of my biggest memories will be here at UJ, winning my first ever championship and getting a ring, writing my first ever song, going to California and Las Vegas and many other western states for the first time in my life, and so many other things that I will hold and cherish forever.

My favorite part about UJ is the strong and supportive community built around it. The community is always so supportive of everything that happens here at UJ, whether it’s coming to the sporting events, coming to concerts and plays, or even putting on a massive block party every year. It’s amazing to see all of these people who don’t even know us show so much love and support.

The faculty members are also amazing; the fact that they know everyone by name and are so supportive of everything we do is incredible. I can never repay them for the things they have done for me. I will never forget the day I saw that some professors posted about my song on all of their social media pages. It was truly one of the best feelings.

Wrapping this up, I’m so glad I decided to come to UJ—the small tight-knit college and community can set anyone up to be great and to follow their dreams. Thank you UJ for giving me a college experience to remember.

By Kassi Ward

From the day I visited the UJ campus, I knew I wanted to be a Jimmie.

There was something special about the campus, people, town and culture that I knew I needed to be a part of it. I remember returning home from visiting the campus and telling my mom I had found the one. Who would have thought this girl from a western Washington town of 50,000 would find her home away from home at a small liberal arts college in the northern plains of North Dakota?

The University of Jamestown was not on my short list of colleges to checkout initially.

It was through the UJ softball program and Coach Gall that I found my path here. Being a student-athlete had been a long-time goal of mine. While the game of softball is something I am passionate about, I needed to make sure I chose a school that also met my academic and social/community goals as well, and UJ has not disappointed.

In the last four years at UJ, I have made lifelong friends and amazing memories.

The students, professors, staff and people of Jamestown have helped me find my true personality, what I’m passionate about in life and to broaden my goals. The breadth of activities and clubs at UJ provides plenty of opportunities for students to try something new or to stay in their comfort zone. For me, it was the chance to try new things and meet new people. The experiences gained and the friendships built through softball, Samaritan’s Feet Student Organization, the Wildlife Society, Physical Education Student Organization and Jamestown community events will stay with me forever.

As the fall semester of my senior year comes to a close, I look back at what it has meant to be a Jimmie.

It’s honor, hard work, faith and support of others. Would I do it again? You betcha! I am forever grateful for the family UJ softball has given me and for everything Coach Gall and Coach Tom do to develop us as players and students. To the professors and staff, thank you for your holistic approach to teaching and working with students.

Lastly, the North Dakota and UJ experiences have made an impression on me. So much so, that I plan on staying in the area to continue my graduate studies. I would not change my decision to attend UJ and become a Jimmie for anything in the world. Thank you to everyone here at UJ for the wonderful experience, lifelong memories and friends.