Brent
Long
Brent Long is a senior from Carthage, Tennessee. Brent will graduate May 10 with a degree in Management. During Brent’s college career he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) and captain of the WKU Men’s Golf Team.
Brent’s golf career at Western Kentucky University will go down in the record books. He holds the record for career wins (5), wins in a single season (4), and tournament scoring records (16 under par) for three rounds. Brent has won five of his last twelve tournaments while at WKU. His most notable tournament was winning the individual championship of the 2006 SunBelt Conference. His performance helped push the team to the SunBelt Team Championship.
After graduation Brent plans to become a professional golfer. This will involve playing in the mini tour tournaments such as the Hooter’s Tour and Nationwide Tour. After playing in the mini tournaments during the summer of 2008, in October Brent plans on attending Q-School (Qualifying School) for the PGA Tour.
Brent Long is a senior from Carthage, Tennessee. Brent will graduate May 10 with a degree in Management. During Brent’s college career he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) and captain of the WKU Men’s Golf Team.
Brent’s golf career at Western Kentucky University will go down in the record books. He holds the record for career wins (5), wins in a single season (4), and tournament scoring records (16 under par) for three rounds. Brent has won five of his last twelve tournaments while at WKU. His most notable tournament was winning the individual championship of the 2006 SunBelt Conference. His performance helped push the team to the SunBelt Team Championship.
After graduation Brent plans to become a professional golfer. This will involve playing in the mini tour tournaments such as the Hooter’s Tour and Nationwide Tour. After playing in the mini tournaments during the summer of 2008, in October Brent plans on attending Q-School (Qualifying School) for the PGA Tour.
Gara
Clarkson
My name is Gara Clarkson and I am a thirty-one year old mother of two, wife to a wonderful husband, a full-time employee of Akebono Brake Glasgow and a soon to be graduate of the Business Administration program at Western Kentucky University. My decision to go back to school and pursue my degree was not an easy one to make considering all my responsibilities to my family and my job. However, it is a decision that I do not regret but one that I am proud of. WKU’s Business Administration program enabled me to achieve my aspiration by offering a flexible program geared to non-traditional students. The web-courses, ITV courses and evening and night classes at the extended campuses are perfect for a student like me. The flexibility and convenience of this program are important aspects to non-traditional students. When you are juggling a family and career, it is hard to find a University program that will allow you to not sacrifice those other priorities, especially a program from a college of high prestige, such as Western Kentucky University. The Business program at WKU is a program that can help you achieve your goals of becoming a college graduate while balancing life’s other responsibilities. I must say that it has not been an easy journey but with dedication, support and the flexibility of the Business program, I will proudly walk the line in May 2009.
My name is Gara Clarkson and I am a thirty-one year old mother of two, wife to a wonderful husband, a full-time employee of Akebono Brake Glasgow and a soon to be graduate of the Business Administration program at Western Kentucky University. My decision to go back to school and pursue my degree was not an easy one to make considering all my responsibilities to my family and my job. However, it is a decision that I do not regret but one that I am proud of. WKU’s Business Administration program enabled me to achieve my aspiration by offering a flexible program geared to non-traditional students. The web-courses, ITV courses and evening and night classes at the extended campuses are perfect for a student like me. The flexibility and convenience of this program are important aspects to non-traditional students. When you are juggling a family and career, it is hard to find a University program that will allow you to not sacrifice those other priorities, especially a program from a college of high prestige, such as Western Kentucky University. The Business program at WKU is a program that can help you achieve your goals of becoming a college graduate while balancing life’s other responsibilities. I must say that it has not been an easy journey but with dedication, support and the flexibility of the Business program, I will proudly walk the line in May 2009.
Top Students/Performers
Robert
Grigg
My name is Robert Grigg; I grew up in Winsted Connecticut and graduated from The Gilbert (High) School in June of 2000. Following high school I attended one year at Unity College in Unity Maine. Following the attacks of September 11th, 2001 I left school temporarily to join the U.S. Navy. During my four years in the Service I was assigned to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) and did two six month tours of duty in the Persian Gulf participating in Operation Desert Storm.
Upon my completion of active duty service I went back to school and received my Associates of Science Degree from Madisonville Technical Community College in 2006. In 2007 I transferred to Western Kentucky University (WKU) to work toward my goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree. Following my first semester at WKU I became interested in the field of Human Resource Management and began to focus all my attention in that direction. I became involved with the local student chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), and I’m currently serving as the chapter’s President. During my tenure as President my team has increased membership from only four students to its current membership of over 30. I am also a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council. I’m currently on pace to graduate in December of 2009 with a B\S Degree Business Management. I feel that coming to Western Kentucky University has been the best decision I have ever made. It has helped me to become a better person as well as a better leader.
My name is Robert Grigg; I grew up in Winsted Connecticut and graduated from The Gilbert (High) School in June of 2000. Following high school I attended one year at Unity College in Unity Maine. Following the attacks of September 11th, 2001 I left school temporarily to join the U.S. Navy. During my four years in the Service I was assigned to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) and did two six month tours of duty in the Persian Gulf participating in Operation Desert Storm.
Upon my completion of active duty service I went back to school and received my Associates of Science Degree from Madisonville Technical Community College in 2006. In 2007 I transferred to Western Kentucky University (WKU) to work toward my goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree. Following my first semester at WKU I became interested in the field of Human Resource Management and began to focus all my attention in that direction. I became involved with the local student chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), and I’m currently serving as the chapter’s President. During my tenure as President my team has increased membership from only four students to its current membership of over 30. I am also a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council. I’m currently on pace to graduate in December of 2009 with a B\S Degree Business Management. I feel that coming to Western Kentucky University has been the best decision I have ever made. It has helped me to become a better person as well as a better leader.
Lee
Jarvis
My name is Lee Jarvis and I am a 21 year-old senior at WKU. I am majoring in Human Resources Management and News/Editorial Journalism, and I will be graduating in August 2009. I am originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, but now live in Shepherdsville as my family has moved since I have been in college. I recently received the Outstanding Senior in Human Resources Management Award, and am currently working as a human resources intern at Country Oven Bakery.
In retrospect, my time at Western has been amazing; every day was different and challenging, and the time I spent here was the most enjoyable period of my life. I used to pine for the day that I would graduate, and now I look towards the date wishing I could squeeze just a few more months into my college experience. There is no question, however, that I am looking forward to graduation; my excitement has just been tempered with the realization that life will never be the same as it is now.
As far as my education in the college of business, I would like to thank all the faculty and staff who have helped me through my years at Western. The professors and advisors have a wealth of knowledge and experience, something I’m not sure I ever fully appreciated in a classroom setting.
I would also like to thank my professors in the School of Broadcasting and Journalism. They, too, have an unbelievable amount of experience in their field, and I appreciate all of the skills that I took from the journalism program that I know I will apply in my future career. They tried to teach me to keep my writing concise, so if they are reading this, they will be able to see that I disregarded any lessons regarding the breadth of my writing. Thank you for trying, though.
Lastly I would like to thank my family and friends for helping me through many late night papers and forgotten-until-the-last-minute assignments. My mother and sister were always there when I needed support, and for that I am very grateful. My friends served in much the same capacity, and I would like to issue heartfelt gratitude, but will probably hurl insults instead because guys do not do heartfelt gratitude. I can do this in person, however.
As for my future career plans, I expect that I will try and find a job in the human resources field. I am also looking at returning as a full-time student in the MBA program.
My name is Lee Jarvis and I am a 21 year-old senior at WKU. I am majoring in Human Resources Management and News/Editorial Journalism, and I will be graduating in August 2009. I am originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, but now live in Shepherdsville as my family has moved since I have been in college. I recently received the Outstanding Senior in Human Resources Management Award, and am currently working as a human resources intern at Country Oven Bakery.
In retrospect, my time at Western has been amazing; every day was different and challenging, and the time I spent here was the most enjoyable period of my life. I used to pine for the day that I would graduate, and now I look towards the date wishing I could squeeze just a few more months into my college experience. There is no question, however, that I am looking forward to graduation; my excitement has just been tempered with the realization that life will never be the same as it is now.
As far as my education in the college of business, I would like to thank all the faculty and staff who have helped me through my years at Western. The professors and advisors have a wealth of knowledge and experience, something I’m not sure I ever fully appreciated in a classroom setting.
I would also like to thank my professors in the School of Broadcasting and Journalism. They, too, have an unbelievable amount of experience in their field, and I appreciate all of the skills that I took from the journalism program that I know I will apply in my future career. They tried to teach me to keep my writing concise, so if they are reading this, they will be able to see that I disregarded any lessons regarding the breadth of my writing. Thank you for trying, though.
Lastly I would like to thank my family and friends for helping me through many late night papers and forgotten-until-the-last-minute assignments. My mother and sister were always there when I needed support, and for that I am very grateful. My friends served in much the same capacity, and I would like to issue heartfelt gratitude, but will probably hurl insults instead because guys do not do heartfelt gratitude. I can do this in person, however.
As for my future career plans, I expect that I will try and find a job in the human resources field. I am also looking at returning as a full-time student in the MBA program.
Rana
Johnson
Hi, my name is Rana Johnson and I am a senior double majoring in International Business and Marketing here at WKU. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and came to Western after being recruited by the swim team. I started swimming when I was five years old and ended my career just a month ago at the Sunbelt Championship meet. Swimming has played such a large role in my life. While it has always been challenging to balance swimming, school studies, and my social life, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
As graduation sneaks closer, I have come to the realization that, well unfortunately, I have to grow up soon. Although part of me is excited to move on and up into the business world, the other part is sad to leave what has been the best four years of my life. I have met and become friends with some of the most amazing people while here at WKU. The memories I have made will last a lifetime.
I would like to take a moment to thank Dr. Zubair Mohamed and Dr. Brian Sullivan who have helped me so much throughout my studies here at Western. I would not have chosen International Business without the encouragement from Dr. Mohamed. If I ever had a problem with class scheduling, degree completion, or international studies, he was always there with a smile on his face and willing to help. Dr. Sullivan always made my classes…interesting. Although business law topics were a tad boring, he always had a crazy story or interesting spin on the matter. Dr. Sullivan is a great professor and friend who has always encouraged me to push myself both in the classroom and in the water. To both Dr. Mohamed and Dr. Sullivan, thank you.
After graduation I hope to work in Marketing for a multinational corporation. I would love to live abroad for a couple years and learn a few more languages. I want to experience as many different cultures as I possibly can. I want to see so much more of the world. But as for now, I am taking things one day at a time.
Hi, my name is Rana Johnson and I am a senior double majoring in International Business and Marketing here at WKU. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and came to Western after being recruited by the swim team. I started swimming when I was five years old and ended my career just a month ago at the Sunbelt Championship meet. Swimming has played such a large role in my life. While it has always been challenging to balance swimming, school studies, and my social life, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
As graduation sneaks closer, I have come to the realization that, well unfortunately, I have to grow up soon. Although part of me is excited to move on and up into the business world, the other part is sad to leave what has been the best four years of my life. I have met and become friends with some of the most amazing people while here at WKU. The memories I have made will last a lifetime.
I would like to take a moment to thank Dr. Zubair Mohamed and Dr. Brian Sullivan who have helped me so much throughout my studies here at Western. I would not have chosen International Business without the encouragement from Dr. Mohamed. If I ever had a problem with class scheduling, degree completion, or international studies, he was always there with a smile on his face and willing to help. Dr. Sullivan always made my classes…interesting. Although business law topics were a tad boring, he always had a crazy story or interesting spin on the matter. Dr. Sullivan is a great professor and friend who has always encouraged me to push myself both in the classroom and in the water. To both Dr. Mohamed and Dr. Sullivan, thank you.
After graduation I hope to work in Marketing for a multinational corporation. I would love to live abroad for a couple years and learn a few more languages. I want to experience as many different cultures as I possibly can. I want to see so much more of the world. But as for now, I am taking things one day at a time.
