Baily Vis

Story by Vessel Staff

photo courtesy of keloland

December graduate Baily Vis is from Luverne Minnesota and received an Associate of Arts degree in Media Studies. During his time at the University of Sioux Falls, He produced a pop culture-based radio show from 2017-2019 for KCFS radio and it was featured in a KELO-TV news story. He also created a comic book article series for the Vessel magazine and website called Comics Cornerstone. In 2019, he interviewed professional comic artist Doug Mahnke when he visited Sioux Falls.

We asked Vis why he decided to graduate in December. “This is an interesting question that needs some background to answer properly. When COVID hit in early 2020 it took a mental and physical toll on everyone, myself included. And I already wasn’t in the best mental state at the end of the previous fall semester. The constant demands of my classes really wore me out and COVID just added to that in a major way. I wasn’t in a place where I could perform my best in class. In fact, there was a point where I was considering dropping out entirely and just dealing with the consequences. But then, Media Studies Asst. Prof. Nancy Sutton got in touch with me toward the end of 2020 and told me I was only a handful of credits away from getting my Associate in Arts. So I decided to take a few months to mentally heal some more and I went back in an online capacity this last February and then in person this fall, and now here we are!”

Baily Vis and comic book artist Doug Mahnke

Vessel staff: Some say graduating midyear, before the larger May graduation, gives you more opportunities for available jobs. Is that partly why you chose a December graduation?

Baily Vis: “Considering my condition and limited capabilities, earning the degree means the world to me! When I was a toddler, the doctors didn’t know much about SMA because it was so rare. So they logically assumed I wouldn’t live past 6 years old. I’ve been proving them wrong ever since! So this is just as important to me and my family as high school graduation, if not more so. And, despite what I said earlier, I’m very happy with the time I spent at USF. I couldn’t have picked a better place to further my education and I’ll look back at these last 5 years fondly. The Lord definitely blessed me when it came to picking the right college.”

Vessel staff: What do you hope to do for a career or are you going on to more school?

Baily Vis: “Not at all! As I said earlier, it was more to do with my mental health than anything else. The combination of the pandemic and the stresses of school actually had me on the verge of quitting. Then I found out I could graduate at the end of 2021 and, with the encouragement of my loved ones, I decided to strap up my boots one last time and go back to earn my degree. And don’t take that the wrong way! It’s nothing against USF, it’s just that the end of 2019 and all of 2020 were very stressful for me, and really the whole world.”

Vessel staff: What does your degree from USF mean to you and how will you remember your time at USF?

Baily Vis: “I think I’m pleased with my schooling and I don’t feel the need to go back in any way. I’m content with what I’ve done. As far as what’s next, there’s nothing set in stone yet. For the immediate future, I’d like to showcase my work more publicly in hopes of finding steady employment, even if it means doing freelance work for smaller companies. The ultimate dream is to hopefully draw the eye of big names like Marvel or DC Comics to maybe do some writing for them. Because even though my diploma says Associate of the Arts, writing is my true passion. I’d also love to start a YouTube channel where I get to talk about comics and other nerdy stuff with some of my friends. Maybe I’ll even write a book. And who says it can’t be some combination of those things? I have tons of ideas and I’m excited to see where they take me!” 14