Hunter Hastings ’24, Alexandria, Minn.
Major: Business with concentrations in Marketing and Economics

Please tell us about yourself.

The three most important things to know about me are that I am a Christian, I enjoy investing my time in others through projects or other areas of service, and I can quote to you more than 100 different lines from movies. When I am not attending classes or working on class projects, I enjoy filling my time by spending it with others. I am extroverted to a fault and own it. One other thing about me is that I value my family because without them I would not be where I am today.

How did you hear about Concordia and why did you choose to attend college here?

I heard about Concordia from family friends when I told them I was planning on attending college in the F-M area. They told me that I should consider Concordia because their son was going here through the PSEO program and he enjoyed his time here. I applied to both NDSU and Concordia and got accepted to both colleges, but I was leaning more toward NDSU as my final placement. When it came to visiting both schools, I toured NDSU first but was disappointed because my tour felt rushed and my questions were not all able to be answered. Soon after that, it was time to tour Concordia but, on my way up, I got into an accident on the road and realized I would be late for my time slot. After calling Concordia, the personnel encouraged me to still come when I was able and they would help me figure out a plan. When I finally made it here, they gave me a personalized tour and managed to fit me into the last segment of the official tour. I was blown away by their hospitality toward me, and it was not a hard decision from there to make my official decision to come here because I knew I would be valued and not just be another number on their class list.

What do you enjoy about the Fargo-Moorhead area?

Two of my favorite activities to do in the summer months with friends are play frisbee golf in the parks and go to the Dairy Queen on Eighth Street afterward.

How did you get involved with the Marketing Club at Concordia?

Dr. Jiang from the marketing program informed me that the Marketing Club needed new board members, and she thought that I would be an exceptional candidate for a position on the board. She then connected me with Dr. Streed, who was the other advisor for the Marketing Club, about the treasurer position that was opening up.

What is your role in the ?

I just started this fall as the new president!

What is your favorite Concordia tradition?

I value the bell tower tradition greatly. On my first day of Orientation, I almost walked through the middle of it and was quickly stopped and told how it was one of the worst mistakes I could ever make. I know always walk around the bell tower now until it’s my time to pass through it after graduation.

How did you decide on your area of study?

In high school, I was part of their DECA program where I had the opportunity to compete in real-life marketing simulations and role-playing. I soon realized that marketing became a passion of mine and I wanted to learn how I could apply it professionally someday. I chose economics because of my teacher in high school who helped me understand how economics affects everyone every day. This concept baffled me and I had to learn more.

What are the benefits of taking classes in the Offutt School of Business?

The best thing about the Offutt School of Business, besides the professors who devote so much to their students and fields of study, would be the resources the school has for helping students achieve their goals. This could be through assisting students to find jobs or giving students the resources necessary to do the best possible work they can do for their classes.

Do you have a favorite course or professor and why?

My favorite course that I have taken at Concordia is Finite Mathematics. This is a bit unorthodox since math is not the focus of my studies here, but it was solely because of my professor, Dr. B, who instructed the class. It was in this class that I learned how much the professors care about their students and enjoy their work. Dr. B made it possible for me to love coming to class every day and he jump-started my drive to finish my undergrad at Concordia.

Have you had a PEAK (Pivotal Experience in Applied Knowledge) opportunity and, if so, what did you learn?

I did my first PEAK through the Habit for Humanity course, and I learned a lot about the impact affordable housing has on low-income families and about the amount of work that goes into making one house for a family. I was able to attend one of the trips the campus chapter leads, and from there I grew an appreciation for the community impact the local affiliates make in their cities and towns.

What do you value most about being a Cobber?

I value the close friendships I have been able to make here on campus that I know I will be able to maintain for the rest of my life. This sense of community really opens up doors for me because, now that I share in the tradition of owning a Cobber ring, I have had many conversations in the F-M area with alumni and people considering coming here.

What advice would you give to a high school student who is considering Concordia?

I would say the most important thing you can do is get involved as much as you can on campus. I have been able to meet so many industry leaders and influencers by reaching out to them about participating in our on-campus events. It is also in different clubs where I have been able to find close friends who share the same interests as me.

Anything else you would like to add?

I am blessed to be here at Concordia where I am challenged every day in my classes and am learning how to apply my knowledge in the real world. I would not trade my experience here for anything else!

^{Published August 2023}