DE PERE, Wis. — Graduation is an exciting time for graduates and their families. Now, graduates at St. Norbert College in De Pere are looking towards the future.
Biology major Meredith Manke is taking some time to reflect on her options post-graduation. For now, she said she is using what she has learned in college to work for the Milwaukee Brewers as an emergency medical technician.
She said her dad is a big influence on where she is today.
“Ever since I was little, I was always behind him, following him to whatever medical emergency there was,” said Manke. “I always knew that I wanted to be something in the medical field. And here we are. I just want to make a difference.”
Manke played softball at St. Norbert. She wants to help coach softball teams too, while she is figuring out her future. She said softball has helped her with time and stress management.
“It's been amazing,” said Manke. “I made so many friends here. It's been a lot of work for sure, but I don't think I'd be who I am today without this.”
Manke’s goal is to work at a children’s hospital. She said it’s been a breath of fresh air to be done, but is going to miss, what she called, the greatest three years of her life.
“Honestly, I think the hardest part about graduating is you became so close with these people and half of them don't live in the state or they live so far away,” said Manke. “I think everything happens for a reason and I think everything will turn out the way that it needs to.”
Teammate and fellow graduate, Megan Guckeen, is going to graduate school for her next venture after earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology. She said she wants to get her doctorate and work in the prison system.
“It's been a really awesome journey here,” said Guckeen. “There's lots of awesome people here and a really tight community, so it's been really cool having the experience and there's been a lot of opportunities given to me that helped me get to where I am today.”
One graduate is heading to Boston for her next journey. Lily Beckett came to Wisconsin from Maryland for the education program at St. Norbert. Now, she will be working with children in behavioral pediatrics.
“I felt so good when I signed that contract,” said Beckett. “I was ready to send it away because I was so excited to get that job secured.”
Manke and her classmates are closing one chapter but opening another. Their eyes fixed on the future and the time they spent at St. Norbert in their hearts.