A Season of Champions

“I’m terrible, aren’t I?” Cindi replies jokingly. “But, I want her to keep getting better, and I know she can.” Mallory pushes herself the most, and it shows in everything she accomplishes. “None of her work was ever a case of just doing enough to get it done. She did excellent work,” says Will, speaking of her work in class after her return. “Her work ethic and positive nature are a testament to her resilience.” Mallory has an incredible network of support from her local community of Rossville, her church, her hometown of St. Mary and her ESU community. She has countless people who are devoted to helping her succeed. Shelby Clark (BSB 08-Management), senior academic advisor for the School of Business, says, “I think everybody is so in awe of her and inspired by her because nobody would have faulted her for not coming back. Everybody is rooting for her and is so excited to see what she can do, and you know, she has shown everyone that she’s got this!” “Every member of our faculty and staff was committed to her success. It’s what we do. It’s why we are here,” says Ed Bashaw, dean of the School of Business. “To be able to be a part of a story like this, to help someone triumph so spectacularly over her difficulties and challenges, it warms the heart and reminds us all why we work in education. It was an honor to get to visit with Mallory and her husband, Kyle, at commencement. They have inspired us all. I will not soon forget all that Mallory overcame, nor will I forget all of those who stood by her.” Cindi says from the moment they reached out to inquire about Mallory coming back to school, there was no doubt Mallory would receive the guidance, accommodations and assistance she needed. “Everyone went above and beyond. Every instructor was incredible...I tell everyone I know to go to ESU because they are all amazing.” On December 18, 2021, Mallory received her diploma and walked across the commencement stage with Kyle by her side. Her mom says of the moment, “It was wonderful. I was so proud of her because she had worked so hard. It was one of her goals in her life, always, to graduate from college, ever since she was a kid. And, the fact that she succeeded in that and got to walk across the stage was just beautiful.” With graduation now behind her, Mallory is focused on her future. She and her mom run a pop-up business called Flourishing in Faith. They sell a variety of goods they make themselves. It serves as a fun way to keep increasing her therapeutic challenges while using her business acumen and creativity. Mallory still dreams of building a barn she will run as a wedding venue. And Mallory and Kyle are working toward being able to go on their honeymoon to Aruba. She is determined to walk on the beach unassisted. Without a doubt, someday she will.

“It was wonderful. I was so proud of her because she had worked so hard. It was one of her goals in her life, always, to graduate from college, ever since she was a kid. And, the fact that she succeeded in that and got to walk across the stage was just beautiful.”