Bryan '13, Business Administration, MBA '16

Are there any “Courage To _______________” words/phrases that you think would capture your story well?

"Persevere"  – I did not follow the traditional education track of beginning college right after high school. After I graduated from high school in 2000, I went directly into the workforce. Beginning in 2003, I slowly began accruing college credits a couple classes at a time while I worked full time. It took me 10 years to complete my BA and I am thankful that I did not give up. I continued my education through many life changes (job changes, getting married, purchasing our first home, becoming a father) and it would have been easy to give up. The support I had to push through each step of the way was incredible.  

How does the prop you brought represent you?

I brought my daughter, Addison. She was born 4 months before I graduated with my MBA. Those last couple of months were challenging as we adjusted to becoming parents while I was finishing school. I wanted to pursue a master's degree in order to provide for my family by advancing my career. I knew continuing my education would make that a possibility. The timing was challenging, but it was worth it.

How would you describe courage in one sentence?

Courage is best described as doing something, like going back to school, even though it may be scary, challenging, intimidating, etc.

How did getting your degree require courage?

I took the long road to complete my first degree. When I first started out, it was difficult to see an end to it. I didn’t know how long it was going to take, but I just continued to put one foot in front of the other, credit by credit. Each semester when I signed up for another course, I had no idea what would be in store for me over those upcoming months.

How does your current job or career path require courage?

In my job I am often confronted with challenging and complex problems that might be new to me.  It takes courage to tackle those challenges and grow through research and application.  It took courage for me to consider a new job in NYC – I was taken out of my comfort zone in a brand new city. I had been comfortable in my previous job for 10 years – it took courage to be willing to walk through a new door that the Lord had opened for me.

How did EU help you become more courageous in your thinking and actions?

Eastern University helped me be more courageous by challenging me in the MBA program, exposing me to new concepts and ideas that help me not only with the material that I learned but also being less intimidated to continue learning new things. As you take on new challenges it can be frightening at first but once you are on the other side you can have confidence that you otherwise would have missed out on.

Where do you hope courage will lead you in the future?

I hope my courage will lead me to follow the Lord’s calling and complete the work he has set out before me.