Memories of Aggie life from three USU alumni
At the moment, life after college might seem like such a foreign idea, but a few Aggies have established lives for themselves in a post-USU world. Three USU alumni speak of their memories at USU and how it has shaped who they are today.
Barbie Massengale
Massengale has some fond memories of life at USU.
“I loved gaining new friends and doing things with friends, from having fun, small get togethers to football and basketball games,” she said. “We also had some great times ‘studying’ in the library.”
Massengale also said she especially loved her French classes.
“Academically, I loved learning, and I loved tackling new subjects and learning more about things I enjoyed,” she said. “I had some really great professors that made learning a lot of fun.”
Massengale said her pride in USU has not faded, and she finds joy in hearing about USU’s current achievements.
USU is still part of her life. She said her daughter Rachel Massengale is currently a freshman majoring in history. Massengale said even her work is impacted by USU.
“I loved when I was in a training session (for substitute teaching) and the training manuals that were used are from USU, and I live in Texas,” she said.
Massengale said the university had a positive influence on her transformation from high school teenager to adult.
“I grew up,” she siad. “I learned to be an adult. I learned prioritizing, at least started to learn it. I learned to finish what I started and the joy that comes from accomplishment. I also learned communication skills, both the importance of communication and began to learn to truly communicate.”
Seth Bracken
Seth Bracken currently works as the editor at QSaltLake, which he said is Utah’s only “queer magazine with the goal to educate and entertain the community.”
“Making the jump from student life to a professional career is a jarring experience, and I think one of the biggest challenges for institutions of higher education,” Bracken said. “Finding an internship was the most useful step I took in my college career that helped me prepare (for life after college).”
While Bracken said he had a great time at college, he wishes he had taken a chance to experience more of what the university had to offer.
“My biggest regret about my studies is staying so focused only on my major,” he said. “Since graduating, I’ve had to go back and learn a lot of skills and knowledge on my own that I could have learned by taking computer science classes.”
Bracken was another who said he missed the social life of USU the most.
“I love USU and miss the campus life most of all,” Bracken said. “The basketball games are second to none and there are so many phenomenal resources on campus.”
Bracken also said current students should be careful not to miss out on new college-life experiences by focusing only on just a major.
“I think college is a time to expand horizons and experience new cultures and ideas. Go check out the multicultural clubs,” he said.
Randy King
Randy King is an actor who might be most familiar to Utah locals as Sam’s father in the LDS movie “Charly.”
“The thing I liked most about USU was that I felt needed and trusted by the faculty,” King said.
King said his acting roles have included “Not in This Town,” “Just Like Dad,” “Friendship’s Field” and “Charly.”
“My favorite film role was in ‘Charly,’ because I had a large part and the people were a riot to work with,” King said. “I don’t think I have a least favorite role, but sometimes ‘Touched By An Angel’ was not a very happy set.”
“I was also cast to be a regular in (the television series) ‘Everwood,’ but when I fell sick for about five years, that guaranteed I would never actually get to do that show,” he said.
– wes.king@aggiemail.usu.edu
BARBIE MASSENGALE GRADUATED from USU in 1979 with a degree in French. Though she lives in Texas, her daughter attends USU and helps keep college memories alive. Photo courtesy of Barbie Massengale