03.30Senior Vanessa Shaw Reflects on Four Years at NNU
Vanessa Shaw (right) and her roommate for three years, Kendra Hughes
Six weeks from now I graduate from Northwest Nazarene University. Although the journey to graduation has been challenging and at times extremely difficult, it has been the most gratifying and rewarding experience of my life. I learned more than just balance sheets, supply and demand, and the four “P”s of marketing from NNU’s School of Business; I learned how to live life to the fullest with a heart that seeks after God’s Kingdom. This is why NNU is not only an amazing institution academically, but it allows its students to grow in an encouraging environment with professors that genuinely care about their students’ success in the class room and in life. I truly experienced this during my four years of education at NNU, and now feel fully prepared to leave its hallowed halls and tackle what lies ahead.
I am a senior accounting major from Helena, MT, and I have been very involved during my four years at NNU. My involvement stretched from athletics, to social life, to business clubs. My wide involvement in the school lead to diverse experiences and honors such as traveling to Bangkok and Chang Mia, Thailand to teach softball to children, and being selected to attend the NCAA National Leadership Conference at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The University also takes its student leaders to a leadership retreat in McCall, Idaho which I attended the past two years. Being involved at NNU gave me a feeling of accomplishment, opened opportunities, taught me leadership skills, introduced me to new students and faculty, and ultimately gave me a chance to have fun while working hard.
To meet my business internship requirement to graduate, I worked with the Montana Division of Criminal Justice. I was mentored by a financial analyst on cases of local fraud. The knowledge I obtained in my business courses prepared me for this internship making it a success in my life and a future career goal to work as an FBI agent and investigate fraud. I recently received a position as an intern at the Legislative Audit Division of Montana for this coming summer before starting a Masters in Professional Accountancy (MPA). After obtaining my masters, I plan on sitting for the CPA exam. NNU has more than fully prepared me for my career goals. I am confident that the knowledge I have obtained and the life skills learned will help me with whatever I do in my future.
Vanessa Shaw's Freshman Girls' Wing
I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the NNU School of business. Every professor had his or her own style and personality, giving each class variety and creating camaraderie among students and faculty. I may forget some of the details taught in each class, but I take away all of the life lessons and advice freely given by each professor. To them, it’s more important to experience live to the fullest through the joy that Christ gives. I will never forget the laughs of seeing Dr. Russell dressed as Bat Man, Dr. Houghton playing the bag pipes, or playing basketball, softball, dodge ball, and other games with all of the professors at the school party each year. I will also never forget how nerve racking a Dr. Galloway one question pass or fail test can be, or the relief of not having your card pulled in Dr. Russell’s class. I will always miss seeing Rhonda’s beautiful smile and reading the Wall Street Journal every morning before class. I will also miss all the professors’ support and encouragement in all of my endeavors. They were truly amazing, friendly, inviting, and inspiring. Thank you for four amazing years!
Article and pictures submitted by Vanessa Shaw