Mid-year graduate Burckhard appreciates time at MSU
MINOT, N.D. – Born and raised in Minot, Samuel Burckhard was set on flying the nest for his education. After studying at Augustana University and North Dakota College of Science, he transferred to Minot State.
“I guess I felt the need to leave and see somewhere new, but I wound up coming back home and this university definitely worked out to be the best for me,” he said.
Now, officially a graduate from Minot State, Burckhard is grateful for his experiences at MSU and how they have shaped him into the person he is today.
Graduating in English with concentrations in Latin, Linguistics, and Theater Arts, he was awarded an English Faculty Book award in writing. But outside of his studies, was very involved in campus activities.
“The bulk of my formal involvement on campus was in the form of theater. I acted in the 2019 production of ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” and in all three productions of the Spring 2020 Trio of Shows,” Burckhard said. “I was a part of Cru in earlier semesters and went through them on a trip to Perth, Australia in 2018.
“In more recent semesters I was somewhat informally involved with the English Club. I helped with acting in the murder mysteries in 2019 and 2021 at my friend’s request — that was a lot of fun. I have a tendency to hole up and just focus on work, so it was good for me to have friends like them to get me out now and then.”
On top of the support of his friends, the support from his professors truly encapsulated his experience at Minot State. Their encouragement through difficult times helped propel Burckhard to finish his education on a high note.
“I do want to give special thanks to Dr. Sarah Aleshire (English) and Dr. Jean-Francois Mondon (French, German, Latin, and Linguistics). Both of them were invaluable sources of counsel and taught me so much, as well as just being remarkably relatable and fun to be around, which can’t be discounted in its value for helping students feel comfortable, valued, and ready to learn. My professors helped me significantly and embodied for me the MSU value of ‘be seen, be heard.’ I’ll always cherish them for that,” he said.
Since his graduation, Burckhard has spent his days working for Easter Seals Goodwill ND as well as training as a cook at the Son of a Brunch restaurant on the Air Force Base.
Looking forward, he has a few different paths that he is considering but is taking this time to enjoy being at home for the time being.
“I’m looking at the possibility of working with an organization in Omaha, Nebraska later this year,” Burckhard said. “I’m also considering the option of moving to Perth; I have a dear friend there who said she might be able to get me connected with a job teaching English as a second language.”
Most people mention a big event or experience that changed their life at Minot State in what they will miss most, but for Burckhard, it was the little special moments that shaped him with people who made them so unique.
“Getting frozen yogurt at the end of every semester with Emily (Schmidt), learning to swing dance and meeting to practice in the mornings with Mya (Temanson), quiet nights in the library studying with a friend, stopping for a lunch shake at Nutrition Addiction, organizing a group to go to the finals week late-night breakfast together,” he said. “That's what meant the most to me, and that’s what I’ll miss.”
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Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 02/18/22 |
