by Collin Brunner B.S.H.E.S. ’10, Annual Member

What does membership in the Arkansas Alumni Association mean to you?

Being an Arkansas Alumni Association member is important to me as one way to give back to the school that helped prepare me for my career. It is also important to me as a way to stay connected not only to the university but also to meet and learn the stories of other graduates.

What made you choose the University of Arkansas?

Being from the Northwest Arkansas area and growing up following the Razorbacks I had already developed a fondness for the University of Arkansas. I wanted to get an engineering degree after high school and the University of Arkansas had a well-known and respected engineering program in the United States. I was pretty much sold on coming here already, but when I got to come on campus and see Old Main and the big front lawn with all the oak trees, that sealed the deal for me.

What is your favorite place or memory from your time on campus?

My favorite place is Old Main and I always loved it every time I went into the building. It would be neat if there was a time-lapse video of all the people and activities Old Main has seen since it was built. Even now when I am driving around town, there are times that I can see it in the distance, and it brings back memories of being on campus. I still love seeing it.

Did you have a mentor, class or activity that enhanced your campus experience?

I was fortunate to have a mentor my last several years on campus. Dr. Terry Siebenmorgen, a Professor in the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department at that time, helped me think through decisions regarding classes as well as career choices. We developed a friendship and stayed in touch multiple times since I graduated. He passed a couple of years ago, but his memory lives on. I was sharing not long ago with someone about the ways he mentored me.

What degree program did you complete, and what did your time at the University of Arkansas mean to you?

I received a Bachelor of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. My department was in the old Engineering Building and right next door to it was Bell Engineering Center. Those two sitting next to each other was great because you got to appreciate the program’s history as well as the growth and hope for what is next.

My time there shaped the person I am today and was a big part of my development journey. I married Rhonda in my second semester, and she supported me by working full time so I could focus on school.  I worked part time while attending school and kept my grades up. This year we will be married for 30 years. There are so many life changes, life lessons and things people said that I still go back and think about even today.