Editor's note: This story first appeared in the spring 2021 issue of Hearts Together, a Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor Special Magazine Edition.
When the global pandemic hit last year, and the world seemed to shut down all around him, CUW freshman Sam Campbell wasn’t quite sure what to do next.
“I had a plan,” he recalled, “but when COVID came it kind of got shot down. I had to start over.”
A senior at Milwaukee’s Messmer High School at the time, Sam had always had an interest in business. He also loved playing football. And when he discovered an affordable way to pursue both—while getting extra help when he needed it with school work—the next steps became clear.
The CUW Emerging Scholars program allows Sam to take affordable classes at the university’s Midtown Center in Milwaukee while also playing wide receiver for the Falcons. If that’s not enough, he also works part-time at a popular clothing store in Milwaukee—a way to indulge his passion for fashion while getting some serious on-the-job business training.
“I definitely want to work for myself someday,” Sam said, “and this program will really help with that.”
By next spring, Sam should be finishing up his associate degree in business management. From there, he can either go straight into the work force or continue on toward a four-year degree. In other words, his future is wide open—just like any good wide receiver should want it to be.
For more information about Emerging Scholars, visit cuw.edu/EmergingScholars.
The spring/summer 2021 Hearts Together magazine hit mailboxes in early April. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, email Jennifer.Hackmann@cuaa.edu.
— This story is written by Mike Zimmerman, corporate communications manager for Concordia University Wisconsin. He may be reached at michael.zimmerman@cuw.edu or 262-243-4380.
If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.