Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Javan Mngrezzo, Class of 2017:

Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What did you study at Western?

I was born in California. We moved around a lot, so I wouldn’t say I’m from a specific spot, just overall California. Then we moved to Oregon when I was 16 and I went to Corvallis High School for a bit… (Then) I went to Western. When I first got there, I was actually a mathematics and dance double major, but I ended up being a dance major and a social science minor with a concentration in sociology.

What did it feel like to finally graduate?

It definitely felt good … I was determined to do the four year track in three years, so it was pretty stressful. I took upward of 20 credits each term and then had a lot of other school activities … I was President of the dance program for half the year and then I was also involved with Rainbow Dance Theater … so yeah, it was a lot, but it felt good that I accomplished my goal of finishing in three years.

How has life been since you graduated? Was it what you were expecting?

It’s almost been better … it’s almost more rare nowadays to have people move right into their field of focus after they graduate; I feel like there’s often lots of times people work jobs that don’t necessarily depend on their degree so it’s nice for me to be utilizing my degree every day and really enjoying what I do … I’m currently working at BodyVox, a professional dance company here in Portland.

What’s one of your best memories from Western?

So many. I would say my best memory from Western was being an RA at Heritage Hall and having that responsibility of being that first point of contact for first year students, which is something I had a lot of passion doing. I was an RA my sophomore year and a Plus+ Team member my junior year … I kind of miss having those leadership roles … my residents all went on to great things so I miss that sense of community and leadership there.

How do you feel your time at Western prepared you for the “real world?” What lessons do you feel you took away?

I kind of stayed strictly in the world of dance … and started dancing when I got to Western — that was the first time I’d been dancing, and now for me to be at a company that has more of a level of prestige … it was really nice having Rainbow as that stepping stone or springboard into something bigger.

Do you still keep in touch with your friends from Western?

I still keep in touch … probably the senior class this year are the last people I know really well, just because it’s been that long, I definitely still have a few friends there.

Do you ever miss being a student?

Yes and no. I definitely miss that daily challenge to keep learning, because I do love learning, but out in the real world, it’s harder for you to pick something and start doing research when there’s not a paper due or that kind of structure. But, I do miss that learning aspect.

Any advice for graduating seniors of this year?

Don’t be afraid to fail. You can’t succeed if you don’t take a risk, especially in dance or any field in the arts; money is going out and it’s harder to get settled in your niche in any world once you graduate. So, I would say persevere past the point of what’s easy and don’t become complacent. Return for bigger and better things.

Photo courtesy of Javan Mngrezzo

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Mickey Hiller, Class of 1979:

Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What did you study at Western?

I grew up in Corvallis, so I was a big Beaver fan growing up. I really wanted to go to OSU, so I went for one year and I hated every minute of it. The classes were just so big. So I transferred to Linn Benton Community College for a few years, which was nicer because there were smaller classes and more closer interactions with everyone. At one point I mentioned to a friend that I didn’t think I would play football again — I played football in high school — and he told me to go talk to the coach at Western, which was still the Oregon College of Education at the time. So I ended up going up there to play football, and I loved every minute. My major was physical education and health education.

What did it feel like to finally graduate?

After graduating, it was rather uneventful. I didn’t go to the graduation, I just got my diploma and had a party with some of my friends. But I did feel like ‘What do I do now?’ Luckily, I happened to be living in Corvallis, down the street from the high school, and I was walking down there one day and happened to see a football practice. So I went up and asked ‘Need any help?,’ which is how I ended up there for five years, helping the football team, and eventually got into substitute teaching.

How do you feel Western helped prepare you for the “real world?” What lessons did you take away?

The professors, especially one in particular Dr. Hein, were on my case every day. It was awesome; they just kept pushing me to do better …They taught me how to treat people … and how to interact with kids. I’ll never forget my coach, Coach Kelly … a guy just out of the prison came up to me in the gym and handed me some pills, and he said ‘Take these pills, you’ll get stronger and bigger.’ So I took them into Coach Kelly’s office and said ‘This guy gave me these pills…’ and he told me, ‘Throw them out. They’re steroids.’ I’ve never forgotten it … I would have gone for it, I would have taken them if he hadn’t said that. It’s really stuck with me and I keep bringing it up when I talk about him. He didn’t care about me being bigger or stronger, he was more interested in me as a person.

Do you still keep in touch with some of your friends from Western?

Somewhat, yeah … With Facebook, I know a lot of people don’t like it but I’ve gotten in touch with a few people I haven’t seen in years through it.

What is one of your favorite memories from Western?

Playing football was great, the friends I made and the fun we had … I can’t think of just one … I have nothing bad to say (about Western) — everything good.

Any advice for this year’s graduating class?

Think back on your time here and enjoy every minute of it … Just find a job you love — doesn’t have to be the exact thing you were going for.

Photo by Rebecca Meyers

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Keary Niarkos, Class of 2011:

Where are you from? When did you go to Western, and what was your major?

I am from Vancouver, WA and attended WOU in the fall of 2008 and graduated in the spring of 2011. I graduated with a BA in American Sign Language Studies.  

What did it feel like to finally graduate?

For me it was a mixed feeling. I was thrilled to be done with school and proud of what I had accomplished but didn’t necessarily have much figured out and being on my own after the security of college was intimidating.

What has your life been like since graduating? Is it what you were expecting or were there surprises?

Life has been good. I had a serious relationship that began in high school and we both attended WOU together and about a year after graduating we got married. We are about to celebrate seven happy years of marriage. I wanted to do something with American Sign Language but not sure what. I took a job interpreting (which was not my plan) and that ended up being a wonderful experience and that led me to teaching ASL. I have now been teaching for six years and while it can be a challenge, I genuinely love my job. So some things were surprising and others feel into place quite naturally.

How do you feel Western helped prepare you for the “real world”?

I know that I would not have been able to do the jobs that I have done had I not attended WOU and studied ASL there. So careerwise, I needed the education. I would say that the personal interactions and experiences of talking with people from such different walks of life was invaluable for shaping me into the person I am. I think we are often so sheltered in high school but in college you are forced to reach out and work with others and that was a huge benefit for me.

Do you still keep in contact with your friends from Western, and do you ever miss being a student?

I have some people that I stay in contact with and some that have even been co-workers. I miss the pace of being a student and I miss the fun environment. I don’t miss the workload but honestly as a teacher the workload hasn’t changed much. I would say that while the stress is immense as a student with all the homework/presentations there is a sense of security that is always there and that goes away as you enter adulthood and your career.

Do you have any advice for graduating seniors?

Remain open-minded. You can’t see where things will lead you and you never know what experiences you need to go through to get you, truly, where you need to go. That doesn’t mean be reckless and jump into everything, but be willing to meet people, take jobs, join organizations that might not have been in the plan because you will learn more of what you really want.

Focus on what matters. At the end of the day, you will not care if you finished that one project at work — you will care about the people in your life. Often, we don’t focus on what is most important until we lose it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is have that conversation that seems pointless, but could mean all the difference in the long run.

Photo courtesy of Keary Niarkos

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Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu