By Eden Swartz and Ryan Whitwell
As the spring semester comes to a close, Indiana Wesleyan University’s class of 2025 prepares to turn their tassels and move on to new careers and adventures that lie ahead.
With diplomas on the horizon, these seniors aren’t just saying goodbye – they’re stepping into what’s next.
Paige Ruesegger, a senior nursing major, has accepted a job at a hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich.
“My plan after graduation is to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I will be working on a medical intensive care unit in Kalamazoo,” Ruesegger said.
Kalamazoo is home to many regional hospitals and health systems, including those with level one trauma centers, which provide the highest level of emergency care. Ruesegger said she is excited to join an environment where she can continue learning.
“I am super excited about the opportunity to work with these people, and also for the opportunity to work in a level one trauma center and learn lots of things,” Ruesegger said.
During her time at IWU, Ruesegger completed multiple clinicals and classes focused on critical care, preparing her for her career as an intensive care unit nurse.
Ruesegger said she is most excited about moving to a new city, developing relationships with people around her and figuring out adulthood.
“IWU has taught me to be intentional in relationships with people around me, especially professors, and to just take the opportunity to learn from others and build connections with others,” Ruesegger said.
Another senior nursing major, Macy Browning, also has post-graduation plans lined up.
“My plan after graduation is to move to Chicago, and I will be working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is downtown, and I will be working in a medical ICU,” Browning said.
Northwestern Memorial is one of Chicago’s largest hospitals, and is well-known in multiple specialties. Browning said that she is excited to move to a new location, and to learn how to live independently.
“I am most excited to move to a bigger city, and get the feel for that, and to learn a new way of life,” Browning said. “I think it will be really cool, and will teach me how to do things on my own and be an adult.”
Browning, a midfielder on the women’s soccer team, said that IWU has taught her how to manage her time well.
“I played a sport and did nursing, and a lot of schools wouldn’t allow me to do that when I was in my recruiting process to play soccer. IWU has been a great place for me, and has taught me to manage my time between school and outside activities really well,” Browning said.
Hayden Renier, a four year athlete on the football team, is graduating from IWU with a degree in special education, and a minor in Christian foundations.
Renier has been offered a job in Antioch, Illinois, where he would teach special education at a middle school in the area.
“I’ve applied to a few other places but right now this is my only offer,” Renier said.
Renier also said that he had just submitted an application to teach religious education at a private school where one of his old high school football coaches now works.
Renier said he believes he would enjoy teaching religious education, and that one of the things he is most excited about once he graduates is finding a new Church family.
“If I went up to Antioch, I wouldn’t be living at home, so I’d kind of be more on my own, so I wouldn’t be able to go back to my old church family,” Renier said.
Renier said one thing he will significantly miss is being a part of the football team at Indiana Wesleyan.
“I’ll miss the camaraderie on the football team; I’m definitely going to miss being forced to work out and being able to be part of a team,” Renier said.
Renier says he won’t necessarily miss the game of football, but he will miss being a part of something bigger than himself.
Renier does plan to go into coaching at some point down the road.
“I really like being a part of a team, now I will just be in a different role,” Renier said.
The seniors at Indiana Wesleyan are about to embark on new journeys in a wide array of locations. Although the students are sad about leaving, they are excited about what is next to come.
