First Glance of SUU's Class 0f 2019
Published: June 10, 2015 | Author: Brittany Cecil | Read Time: 3 minutes
The incoming Class of 2019 is all dedication, thoughtfulness and ready to conquer the world.
They are driven. They are goal oriented and have their life planned out. Just talking to them you can taste their desire for success, which is why they choose Southern Utah University.
David Torrey, graphic design major from Orange County, Calif. was so excited to begin his SUU experience he got a jump-start and enrolled in summer classes. Coming from the busy streets of Orange County, Torrey knew he wanted a smaller community to gain an education, he said, “I am slightly autistic, which is a big reason why I choose SUU. It’s a nice school in a small town, I can ride my bike to get anywhere I need and this semester I am even trying out for the musical ‘Rent.’”
Another California native, Daniel Balsam, also saw SUU’s location as perfect, saying, “I choose SUU because it’s so close to national parks, I love mountain biking and snowboarding, and here I can be doing that just minutes after getting out of class.”
Though these students are leaving their families behind, students like Kiabeth Fierros see her family as the reason she is leaving her home in Orem to come to SUU.
“I am the first in my family to go to college and I knew I wanted to get into medical school, and I knew SUU could get me there. Hope that will help my younger siblings also go to college.”
Students like Fierros are already getting involved and joining clubs such as the Latinos in Action. Others are taking their experience of being involved in high school and having that drive their goals while at SUU.
Steven Pomeroy, incoming freshman from Garden Grove, Calif., became involved at his high school so much so he was selected by the Garden Grove School District, the third largest in the state, to sit on it’s School Board representing their thousands of students.
“It was so much fun to get involved on projects, especially a new one I helped steer to increase the amount of students graduating,” Pomeroy stated. “My mom is a little nervous for me to live so far away for college, but both my parents know it’s a great school and it’s where I needed to go.”
Many students are driving great distances to begin their life at SUU in the fall, some students like Megan Seaton, a declared history major, hales from St. George, Utah and knew the distance was perfect to gain some independence but still have her family a short drive away.
“SUU is great because it’s close to my family but just far enough away. I will be living in Eccles [Living Learning Community] and I have already started talking to my roommates, I’m just so excited to get started,” said Seaton.
Others like Humza Hameed, a future finance major from Phoenix, Ariz., is seeking independence with golf club in hand. He said, “I have golfed my whole life and I can’t wait to play golf here on so many different courses, and of course gaining my independence. I’ll miss my family but I’m excited for college.”
The Class of 2019 is made up of a diverse collection of students, each with different backgrounds, but for the next four years their stories will come together as they become Thunderbirds for life. Welcome to the Nation, Class of 2019!
Photo: Humza Hameed while at SUU's New Student Orientation.
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