TWO SIDES
by Erin Edlund
OF THE SAME TENURE
Beth Kolbo ’03 and Braxton Hinders ’22 were invited to sit down for a conversation with Alumni Engagement Director Alex Watters as representatives of the classes of 2003 and 2022, which have the distinction of being the first and last graduating classes to spend all four years under the leadership of President John Reynders.
including a regular meeting with President Reynders.
Beth and Braxton had not met before, but you may not have guessed it had you walked into their meeting that cold January night.
As the conversation continued, Beth shared that she had pulled out old scrapbooks and spent time reminiscing about her Morningside experience in advance of sitting down to talk.
Braxton introduced himself to Beth, sharing that he was a resident assistant (RA) working in the Plex. Beth identified herself as also being a former RA, and it quickly became evident that a Morningside bond had already formed as the two exchanged stories and questions.
“It reminded me of just how many happy memories I have here,” shared Beth as she told Braxton about a tradition of 2 a.m. donut runs that had been part of her residence life experience and remembered trips and team bonding with her soccer team.
“I love meeting other Morningsiders,” smiled Beth, as Braxton nodded his head in agreement. Beth arrived at Morningside in 1999, the same year that John Reynders began his presidency. An elementary education major from Dubuque, Iowa, Beth played soccer and was heavily involved with residence life and other student life activities. She had come to Morningside because of the reputation of its education program and quickly found her place on campus.
“It means a lot that President Reynders and Robin take the time to talk to and meet with students like they do, and I know if I needed something he would do what he could to help out.”
The business major and baseball player from Carlisle, Iowa, concurred that there is something special about those Morningside experiences.
It means a lot that President Reynders and Robin take the time to talk to and meet with students like they do.
“Morningside has grown since I have been here, but one of the things that was great about being on a small campus was that there were lots of opportunities to be a leader. Morningside gave me experiences I just would not have had at a bigger institution,” Beth remarked.
“Some of my favorite memories so far have been going to Arizona with the baseball team sophomore year and traveling down to North Carolina for the football national championship game this year. I got to talk to an alum from the 1980s during the game, and it was just cool to get to know them and hear about their Morningside experience,” said Braxton.
Braxton agreed, sharing some of his own leadership opportunities, 29
