Inspiration in Action

Paralegal

Makaio Goods '16 is a Paralegal in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. He spent the last year serving as an AmeriCorps Reentry Mediation Specialist at a community-based nonprofit in Maryland while also working as a Research Assistant for the Columbia Justice Lab. As part of Makaio’s undergraduate studies, he worked to gain experiences that would enable him to pursue a career improving the lives of others. Through working at organizations such as the ACLU and the Minnesota Senate, he started to realize the ways that the law could alleviate some of the harm caused by civil rights violations in the United States. Sustained mentorship roles with Brotha-toBrotha, Men as Peacemakers, and H.O.P.E in Tanzania allowed him to advocate for a path “out” provided by education and creating plans for success based on individuals’ learning needs. Makaio holds a BA in English with minors in Philosophy and Geography from the University of St. Thomas.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

Marshall played a formative role in my decision to pursue higher education and helped shape my commitment to community service.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

During my years at Marshall, I was inspired by Karen Stiles, Lori Durant, Julie Ball, Kevin Breen, Donna Kanoff, Brendan Flaherty, Susan Nygaard, Kelly Momsen, Paul Pearson, Nate Harsha, Jonathan Woodward, Lon Weaver, and Karen Snyder, along with all of the countless other dedicated faculty and staff.

Who currently inspires you?

I am continuously inspired by my mom, Tanya Lahti, who has always encouraged my sister and I to pursue our dreams.

Account Executive & Field Faculty

Charlotte Muzzi '06 holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Oregon and a BA in English from Carleton College. She has taught writing to undergraduates and preparatory school upperclassmen and solo-guided 40-day backpacking trips for young women in Alaska. Charlotte’s work has been published in The Hopkins Review, The Cincinnati Review, EATER, C-Ville Weekly, The Southeast Review, and Carolina Quarterly. She currently serves as an Account Executive at Giant Voices, where she facilitates marketing and creative strategy for nonprofit and industry clients, and on faculty at the National Outdoor Leadership School, where she teaches communication, decision-making, and the fundamentals of responsible mountain travel.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

I worked hard at Marshall; I won’t say college was easier, but I will say that I experienced it as less work. I had learned how to manage my time, got ten hours of sleep every night, and never worked past 10 PM. Those were Marshall-related skills.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

I was inspired by Ms. Fryberger’s high standards and belief that her students were smart enough to figure things out, and by Dr. Haire’s leadership example—I’ll never forget him sweeping the commons and making sure that students didn’t sneak off campus at lunch. I was also inspired by Dr. Nygaard’s unflappable classroom management and ability to sift wheat from chaff in discussion sections, which I later tried to channel as a prep school teacher. Her posters also contributed to my appreciation of the US labor movement at an early age.

Who currently inspires you?

My work with the National Outdoor Leadership School inspires me to be both a better educator and a better person. I’ve worked with instructors from all over the world, some of whom have spent decades teaching in the backcountry, and they are so good at building inclusive communities and pushing students to grow. The curriculum is like, “choose an appropriate route over this mountain, support a struggling coursemate, bake a better pie”—it’s inspiring to work with people who are so talented and down-to-earth.

Marketing, PR, & Sports Announcer

After graduating from St. Scholastica, Zach Schneider '06 worked for nearly a decade in local television at KBJR-TV. He currently works as the Marketing and Public Relations Director at Grandma’s Marathon, while also serving as the television play-by-play announcer on My 9 Sports for the UMD men’s and women’s hockey teams. He and his wife Megan have a baby daughter, Emerson Joann, a dog, Hobey, and live in West Duluth. 

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

A focus on critical thinking and the ability to adapt has been the biggest asset in my post-high school life. After leaving Marshall I changed my major once, transferred colleges more than once, and later on in life made a couple of significant career changes. Through it all, it’s been clear that Marshall wasn’t so much preparing you for something specific in the world, but rather preparing you for the world as a whole. Whatever you choose to do or be in this life, Marshall lays a foundation for you to be successful.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

Over my eight years, there are certainly too many to name. Teachers went about things differently—some were fierce while others were funny, some had endless energy while others preferred a quiet classroom—but all were deeply committed to us and to our educational growth. If you asked me who comes up most often in my Marshall memories, Chico Anderson, Susan Nygaard, Nathan Mattson, Larry Weber, and Rebecca Waterhouse all come instantly to mind.

Who currently inspires you?

Our daughter, Emerson Joann, was born in September 2021. She came into this world 2.5 months premature and spent the first 100+ days of her life at Children’s Hospital Minnesota. Now home, we are still back-and-forth to Mayo Clinic in Rochester while she battles some significant medical issues. Through it all, we’ve seen the strength Emmy Jo has and have been inspired by her even before she knows much of anything about this world. Not even a year old now, she’s been our shining light and our beacon of hope.

Global Public Health Professional

Hanvit Oh '14 graduated with a Masters in Public Health from Emory University. Her public health interests include maternal child health, population health, and infectious diseases, and her technical skills encompass data analysis, epidemiology, and public health surveillance. She is a firm proponent of translating scientific research into evidence-based policies that inform the public to make optimal health choices. Her professional experience spans working at non-profit, federal health agencies, and intergovernmental agencies.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

Marshall was not only the place where I discovered my gifts, but also where I could fearlessly actualize my vision and passions. I discovered a passion for international causes and issues, including global health, poverty, and women’s education rights, and I practiced the gift of project management and leadership as I founded a campus-wide event to promote cultural diversity within the school. It was the institution I represented for the Minnesota All-State Band. I will forever cherish the pure joy of discovering the means to make the world a better place, and to make my visions a reality. All of these discoveries and experiences continue to serve me today as a global public health professional as I’ve worked to promote peace-building efforts in civil-war-torn countries, support refugees with their transitions, and tackle the COVID-19 pandemic that affected millions of people. Marshall taught me that nothing is impossible as long as you go after it like a bulldozer.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

During my time at Marshall, I remember the classes above me were very inspirational. As older sisters and brothers, they helped me see the opportunities that Marshall could offer and reminded me to grab every chance to maximize them.

Who currently inspires you?

Former Director-General of the World Health Organization, Lee Jong-Wook. He was the first South Korean leader of a United Nations agency. He worked tirelessly to ensure health equity around the world through vaccination and advocacy for the marginalized.

Environmental Project Scientist

Ian Peters '14 earned a BA in Geology and minor in American Music from Carleton College, and an MS in Geoscience from UW-Madison. He currently works as an environmental consultant for Atlas Technical Consultants, overseeing large drilling projects to sample soil and water, checking primarily for petroleum pollution and recommending cleanup methods. Outdoor geology labs and field trips nurtured his love and awe for the planet, beginning in middle school at Marshall. He also studied pottery samples for an archaeology research project, researched surface-level geology, and his Masters thesis explored the relationship between soil chemistry and the shape of a slope as it weathers away.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

The academics prepared me for a college workload, but Marshall also helped me recognize my strengths and limits, and I learned how to ask for help when I reached those limits. I was shy, but once I realized my teachers wanted the best for me, I knew I could reach out and ask for a push when I couldn't quite grasp something. That baseline level of trust is important when you're being mentored, and it's good to know that you don't know everything. 

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

Mr. DJ inspired a passion for science and respect for the Earth, for which I'm infinitely grateful. His mentorship as a Nordic ski coach is solely responsible for my body positivity and dedication to see things through to the end (especially because I was never THAT good at skiing). Mr. Alexander pushed me in band and jazz band, and Dr. Nygaard's dedication to her students was integral to me developing trust in my mentors. These teachers inspired me to be a better performer, writer, scientist, and teacher. Also, they kept me grounded in appreciating the arts, something I think scientists often forget.

Who currently inspires you?

My favorite musician, John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, who overcame abuse and addiction to become a fantastic songwriter and author, and whose perseverance, humor, and talent brings me limitless joy. His music keeps me going when I'm otherwise unmotivated, and his books have been touchstones at times when my mental health has suffered.

Global Communications Leader

Angela (Angie) Thompson '01 is a Senior Corporate Communications Manager for General Mills. She oversees executive and internal communication and employee engagement for Global Functions and Enterprise Strategy. Prior to this, Angie served in a variety of leadership roles at Target; she managed executive communications and led high visibility communication initiatives across numerous internal departments. She experienced an agency perspective of communications work at Weber Shandwick Public Relations where, as group manager in the consumer marketing practice, Angie built strategies and high impact campaigns for clients such as Coca-Cola, Polaris Industries, State Farm Insurance, and the U.S. Army. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies from Gustavus Adolphus College, and has her master’s in strategic communication from the University of Minnesota.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

Beyond the subject matter that I learned while in school, Marshall helped spark my curiosity and general love of learning, which served me well not only in college and grad school but throughout my career. It's that curiosity that makes me excited to learn the ins and outs of a new company or business area that I'm supporting. I also learned how to think critically—to not simply take things at face value, but to ask questions and form my own opinion.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

This is an easy answer—it would be my mom [Sharon Rolle]! She taught at Marshall for three decades as a math teacher and even taught me during my time there. She is incredibly smart, witty, and compassionate, and truly loved being a teacher. That's something that I'll always remember about Marshall—how committed and passionate the entire teaching staff is.

Who currently inspires you?

I have three little kids—ages 7, 4, and 1—and they are sources of inspiration for me on a daily basis! When you work in a challenging job and are balancing that with a busy family life, it's easy to get caught up in it all. My kids inspire me to not take life too seriously, and remind me of the importance of being present.

Equine Dental Veterinarian

Laurelyn Keener Turbes '00 earned a BS and BA from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, graduated with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University, and completed a one-year internship in equine and camelid medicine in Ohio. In 2010, she moved home to Duluth and began her career in equine veterinary dentistry, later purchasing the focused ambulatory equine dental veterinary practice, North Wind Equine, LLC. Further educational opportunities have allowed her to offer advanced extraction procedures in addition to preventative dental care, and she continues to advance the level of equine veterinary dentistry available in the region.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

My six years at Marshall shaped who I am. As a Hilltopper, I found peers as academically driven as I was, gained confidence as an athlete, was surrounded by faculty who pushed me to strive for excellence, and made lifelong friends. Skills learned in every class prepared me for college and educated me for life. My first year of veterinary school, I adopted the note-taking style that Ms. Ball taught in 7th grade, I still organize my bills in binders with tabs the way that Ms. Falsani taught us in 8th grade Literature and Language Arts, and I calculate medication doses for my patients using the conversion method Mr. Vosen required in AP Chemistry.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

Everyone. Being surrounded by people who believe in your success, and who expect you to put forth an excellent effort in all endeavors, enables and motivates you to do and be your best. I think about how, in my second or third day, Ms. Snyder came over to me at lunchtime and introduced me to a classmate who was sitting at the end of my table. That she had noticed us struggling, and looked to solve the problem, meant a lot to me in that first week and started the rise of my confidence. From classmates to teachers, coaches, the janitorial staff, college guidance counselors—everyone made Marshall a warm, inviting, and nurturing place.

Who currently inspires you?

My husband, whose drive to learn new things, and perform each task with excellence, is unparalleled in my experience. My parents, in-laws, and siblings, whose love and support is constant and boundless. My veterinary mentors, horsemanship trainers, and the animals themselves.

Fine Art Specialist & Lecturer

Philip (Phil) Hafferty '04 is a Specialist in Japanese and Korean Fine Art at Bonhams Auctioneers in New York City, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Hunter College in New York City. My path to Bonhams was not a straight one. When I was in college, I thought that my future was in the foreign service, working as a diplomat for the United States. Then my passion for the Japanese tea ceremony and interest in art took me to graduate school in Seattle with hopes to become a museum curator. Some bumps along the road made that dream appear too distant for the present moment, so I returned to Minnesota and joined the health care field while finishing my thesis on Japanese tea house architecture. Many other job applications later, I landed a job in New York at a Japanese art gallery. Following the death of the gallery owner, I was able to utilize the connections I had made in that job to transition to Bonhams, one of two auction houses in the United States with a standalone Japanese and Korean art department. I also continue my training in the Japanese tea ceremony, and am an instructor in the Urasenke Chado Tradition, teaching a tea-related course at Hunter College.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

Marshall taught me that it was possible to have a lifestyle with a foundation in my own values; that I didn’t have to be part of a single stereotypical group in order to have a fulfilling educational and extracurricular life. Marshall gently introduced me to the benefits of diversity at a variety of levels, from ethnic, to economic, to cultural, to religious, to sexual, and beyond. But most important is that Marshall fostered a culture that encouraged an educational environment inside and outside of the classroom, and helped me to realize that good things could come from pursuing my passions.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

I was inspired by Dr. Buck, Ms. Whitlock, Dr. Nygaard, Ms. Fryberger, Mr. Chico Anderson, Dr. Hare, Mr. Sippel, Mrs. Johns, and Ms. Snyder.

Who currently inspires you?

My mother and father.

Construction Manager & Engineer Scientist

Joshua Rudolph '02 is a Senior Planning and Scheduling Manager with Mortenson Construction. He graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2008 with a dual bachelors degree in Architectural Engineering and Construction Management. He interned at Krech Ojard and Mortenson Construction, before beginning his current 15-year full-time career with Mortenson. He began as an engineer, moved to superintendent, and then to his current position, while also participating in their Advanced Leadership Development Program. His career has brought him throughout the United States to Virginia, Texas, Ohio, Minnesota, and now Wisconsin where he resides with his wife Laura, son William, and daughter Genevieve. Rudolph has also had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Building2Learn Consortium, an organization that works to introduce and connect kids to the construction industry, in addition to serving as a mentor to young students in the areas of architecture, construction, engineering, STEM, developing teamwork abilities, and learning to embrace and encourage innovative thinking.

How did your experience at Marshall help you after graduation?

I credit a lot of who I am today to the things I was able to do at Marshall; the people and the school gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, try new things, and to be who I really am. As I worked through my leadership development program, I put together a leadership journey map and could see that my time at Marshall was included throughout.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

I was inspired by Chico Anderson, Dr. Nygaard, Ms. Whitlock, Dr. Haire, Coach Flaherty, my teammates throughout the years, and all of the classmates that I participated with in the production of West Side Story.

Who currently inspires you?

My son William, he is autistic. Also, my parents, fictional character Ted Lasso, and everyone I meet—we all have a unique story and can always teach each other something new.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Audrey Sederberg '02 leads a computational neuroscience research group as part of the Medical Discovery Team for Optical Imaging and Brain Science at the University of Minnesota. Her primary research interest is in understanding the dynamics of large networks of neurons and how those dynamics relate to network structure. To do so, she uses mathematical tools to analyze and interpret the torrent of neural data made possible by modern technology. Ultimately, this work will advance our understanding of brain function and disease.

Dr. Sederberg earned her B.S. in Physics from Harvey Mudd College and her Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

We chose Marshall for my fifth-grade year, largely because of the tremendous amount of energy exuded by the leaders of the newly expanded middle school. Karen Snyder and our teachers that year, Tom Beery and Mindy Lemonholm, were (and still are!) a force of nature. Our small cohort of 40 students felt like an extended family, and this sense of community pervaded my years at Marshall.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

I am a scientist and my liberal arts roots at Marshall are fundamental to that identity. As a scientist, I am inspired by teachers I had at Marshall, like Mr. Weber and Señorita O'Brien, who both used a methodical and rigorous approach to teaching, sprinkled with humor and dry wit. Many teachers at Marshall challenged me, in ways that were sometimes uncomfortable but usually necessary. Marshall's commitment to intentional inclusion, especially evidenced through interfaith chapel services led by Chico Anderson and classes like Contemporary Issues taught by Ms. Alcala, shaped how I think about access, inclusivity, and equity in science and higher education. Finally, since I joined the track team in 1996, I've been inspired by my coach Ms. Moline, who inculcated in us a life-long love of running.

Air National Guard Colonel & Writer

Matt Komatsu '95 is a Colonel in the Alaska Air National Guard and Commander of its 176th Mission Support Group. The group provides wartime and peacetime mission support of deployment operations, construction, facility maintenance, security, contracting, communications and information services.

Col. Komatsu is also an award-winning writer. He holds a MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska, is a nonfiction editor of War, Literature & the Arts, and is a creative director for the Alaska literary nonprofit 49 Writers. He was a recipient of the 2017 Alaska Literary Award in Nonfiction.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

My parents chose Marshall in order to provide me an education that would best prepare me for my future.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

My running coaches Glen Gilderman, Lowell Harnell, Scott Johnson, and Mary Moline were huge inspirations for me. Faculty members like Lawrence Bernabo, Georgia Swing, and Fred Sipple pushed me to approach academic work with an open and critical mind willing to encounter new material. My classmates were amazing as well—I was constantly awed by their intellectual prowess, kindness, and drive to make the world a better place.

Exception Handler & Conservation Education Intern

Makeela Magomolla '16 attended Marshall from 7th grade to 12th grade. She went on to attend Mankato State University for two years then graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and a Certificate in African Cultural Studies. She plans on attending grad school to further her education in conservation and possibly eco-tourism.

In 2018, Makeela volunteered at the Ngamba Chimpanzee Wildlife and Conservation Trust on Ngamba Island in Uganda. There she helped care for 49 orphaned chimpanzees, learned about green energy, eco-tourism, and even got the opportunity to meet and hang out with Dr. Jane Goodall. That experience ignited a passion for volunteering, conservation, Non-Governmental Organization work (NGOs), and ecological tourism.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

Compared to the public schools I really liked the smaller class sizes, the block schedules, and the close sense of community Marshall had to offer.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

During my time at Marshall, the most inspirational teachers who influenced my career path were Dr. Carter and Mr. Gabler. I had Dr. Carter for both AP Biology and Applied Physiology and Mr. Gabler for natural science in the 7th grade. Both had true passions for teaching and a genuine love for science, which I truly admired. Dr. Carter opened my eyes to how absolutely fascinating the biological world is, especially at the cellular level. Mr. Gabler, for some assignments, had us go to the woods behind Marshall and simply sit in silence and draw what we saw. It sounded silly at the time, but how often do we overlook the nature around us? I think a big problem we face with our relationship with nature is we simply get used to it. It's no longer special, but if we take the time to stop and see what's going on, we can see how amazing even the smallest bit of life is.

Assistant Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League Midwest

Manilan (Manny) Houle '12 currently serves as Assistant Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League Midwest where he oversees regional communications, coalition building, advocacy campaigns, and incident response. As a tribal citizen of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, he has spent the last decade organizing and advocating on LGBTQ+ rights, anti-poverty policy, youth in foster care and foster policy, and Indigenous rights. Manny was part of the 2020 Bronfman Convener's Program with the Israel Policy Forum. He has worked for a wide range of progressive interests, including as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Midwest’s Progressive Outreach Director based in Chicago, the Policy and Organizing Director for OutFront Minnesota, and the Native American Engagement Director for the Minnesota DFL Party.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

I chose Marshall after I was presented with the opportunity for financial aid. I remember touring the school and talking with Ms. Snyder. It was obvious that Marshall was the place where I would be challenged and supported to the highest levels.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

Who at Marshall didn't inspire me? That being said, Profe O'Brien will always have a special place in my heart. I was by no means the perfect student and she worked tirelessly with me to achieve the most in her class and outside. Her devotion to the language and her witty sense of humor always made me want to do better.

Musician & Instructor

Derek Bromme '05 teaches in the music department at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he is the instructor of low brass and teaches music theory. In 2016, he also became the instructor of low brass at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Derek attended Indiana University for his Masters degree in trombone performance. He then continued his studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he received a DMA in bass trombone performance. Derek is an active soloist and clinician in Minnesota, having soloed on a number of occasions with the UWS and UMD Wind Ensembles. Along with his teaching responsibilities at the University, he serves as the bass trombonist in Randy Lee's Big Time Jazz Orchestra. He regularly performs with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra on tenor and bass trombone. Over the period of four years, he traveled and recorded as the solo trombonist for Lorie Line. Outside of music, Derek spends his free time with family and friends, and appreciates the outdoors.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

We were looking for a school with smaller class sizes and a more personal high school experience. We also started in 7th grade and appreciated the ability to complete high school in the same school.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

Teachers that inspired me were Lori Durant, Julie Ball, Larry Weber, Susan Nygaard, Nathan Mattson, Bill Alexander, Rebecca Waterhouse, Scott Arntson, and John Gould.

Doctoral Candidate

Andrew Nelson '06 is a PhD candidate in the Japanese Linguistics track of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Stanford University. His interests are broad: on the technical end of things, he has studied syntax, semantics, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, and natural language processing; on the humanistic side, Japanese pop culture, early modern and modern Japanese history, Japanese literature, and translation. 

Why did your family choose Marshall?

When I was a rising 5th grader, my family and I were looking for a place where curiosity was celebrated, an environment that fostered inquiry, creativity, and a spirit of challenge. I recall, when I visited Marshall for the first time, showing the fifth grade teachers a story I had written. Whereas the teachers at my old school dismissed the story with a polite but uninterested "That’s nice," the Marshall teachers read it in its entirety, right there on the spot, and expressed their enthusiasm. That encounter was indicative of the kind of support and encouragement I would find for the next eight years.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

The word "inspire" derives from a Latin word meaning "to breathe into." The Oxford dictionary describes it as "giving someone the desire, confidence, or enthusiasm to do something well"; among the Cambridge definitions, "to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it"; and from Merriam-Webster’s definitions, "to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on." In each of these senses, every teacher at Marshall "breathed" into me the confidence and ability to recognize patterns, think critically, solve problems, conduct original research, and communicate my ideas effectively. I can draw a direct line from the skills I employ every day to the classes and teachers I had at Marshall.

Food Distribution Coordinator

After graduating from Marshall, Mary Baumgartner '14 attended Carleton College where she received her BA in Political Science with a minor in Educational Studies. She then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to be a policy fellow at OpenSky Policy Institute, a nonpartisan fiscal think tank. That experience awakened Mary's passion for fiscal policy, as she realized it is foundational to all social justice issues. Once she completed her fellowship, she returned to Minnesota to be the statewide organizer at the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition where she engaged with Minnesotans about state-level anti-poverty legislation.

When the pandemic hit, Mary moved back to Duluth to be closer to family and accepted a position researching mobile food distribution programs for CHUM Food Shelf. Using that research, she designed CHUM2GO, the food shelf’s food delivery program that works to increase food security and accessibility in the area.

In the fall of 2022, Mary headed to grad school at La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison and works as communications team co-chair for the Homes for All Coalition in Minnesota, which advocates for safe, stable, and affordable housing for all Minnesotans.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

I was looking for a place where I could grow as a student, an athlete, and a member of my community. Knowing my teachers and classmates was a priority for me. My parents chose Marshall because of the school's strong academics and student-teacher relationships, as well as its focus on college preparation.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

The beauty of the Marshall community was that nearly everyone I met inspired me in one way or another. Profe O’Brien’s resilience and fierce commitment to her students inspired me. Vinnie’s kindness and genuine interest in the Marshall community inspired me. Dr. Nygaard’s and Mr. Mattson’s abilities to help students, including myself, develop a strong technical foundation of formal English while also pushing us to broaden our worldviews inspired me. I have always believed that we can learn something from everyone we meet, and my time at Marshall supported that.

Actor & Film Worker

Deven Bromme '06 was born and raised in Duluth. He went on to study business and communication at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. After graduating college, he began working at his family's assisted living facilities. At 25, Deven chose a new path and started pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. He moved to Los Angeles, California and started working as a freelance film worker. After making a series of smaller films, he was given the opportunity to work on larger movies in the Atlanta area. Deven currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with my fiancé. He's a union film worker under the Georgia Local 479 and is represented by the JPervis Talent Agency.

Why did your family choose Marshall?

My father went to boarding school in the Cities. My mother went to Duluth East. Marshall was the compromise.

Who at Marshall inspired you? 

Dr. Nygaard, Profe O’Brien, and Chico Anderson all inspired me.