If you could look back on your college experience, what would stand out most?
For Ryan, a senior at Fresno Pacific University, the journey has been shaped by growth, challenges and community. From athletics to leadership roles, Ryan reflects on his time at FPU and how it has made him into who he is today.
Meet Ryan:
My name is Ryan. I'm a senior at FPU, graduating with a B.A. in business administration with an emphasis in business management.
Q&A with Ryan
Q: Are you involved in any FPU clubs, groups or sports?
A: Yeah, I'm super involved here at FPU. I play on the basketball team. I’m a R.A. on campus and have been since my freshman year. I'm also a part of some academic groups like the Paragon Scholars and Alpha Chi.
Q: What brought you to FPU?
A: Basketball was the reason I came to FPU. Coach Haydock recruited me and he was the main reason that I came to the university.
Q: What were your expectations coming in?
A: I was unsure what to expect coming to FPU. Being an international student from Canada, I didn’t know what it was going to be like. I knew it was a small campus. I knew it was a faith-based campus, but I didn't fully understand what that would look like until I got here.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced during your time at FPU?
A: My biggest challenge was adjusting my expectations. I came into FPU trying to succeed in everything, especially basketball. But being injured my entire time here, I've had to pivot from that and shape my identity outside of basketball.
Q: Looking back on your younger freshman self, who were you when you started and how would you describe who you are now?
A: I was eager, excited and a little bit ignorant. I knew who I was but wasn't sure how I fit into the world. And now, I think I still hold the same eager nature and excitement towards the world. However, I have a better sense of who I am, what my identity is and who I want to be moving forward.
Q: Was there a moment where you felt like your faith became more real and intentional, versus just living for the world?
A: I don't think there was a specific moment that made my faith more authentic or real. I'd say over the course of time, I've been able to understand who I am and how to be more authentic in living out my faith. I think the biggest part of that is understanding my own imperfection and how God sees me. Then being able to go to God as I am, not trying to be perfect but just show up as who I am in my everyday life.
Q: How has the FPU community helped shape the person you are today?
A: The community at FPU has been everything in shaping who I am today. With all the groups I'm involved in, it's allowed me to get advice from so many mentors and be shaped by everyone around me. I have been able to take the best of what FPU has and help it mold me.
Q: Going off that, who were the people at FPU that had the biggest impact on you?
A: Definitely my coach CJ Haydock. He's taught me what it's like to be a young man and how to approach the world as someone who's going to stand out—how to show up differently in the world.
Q: What does graduating mean to you personally?
Graduating to me is something that is extremely important and something that has also been a grind. I don't really enjoy school, but I'm someone who's a perfectionist and because of that, I have put everything I have into it. It's been a big obstacle to overcome, but I'm excited to finish and move on to my everyday life.
Q: Would you say you're proud of your journey here?
A: I'm extremely proud of my journey here at FPU. My time here has been unexpected. My growth hasn't been linear, but it's made me into the person I am today.
Q: And finally, what's one thing you'll take with you from FPU forever?
A: The friendships, memories and relationships that I've built here. I will never forget the moments I've had with my friends late at night talking or on the road with the basketball team. Those are memories that I'll always have. And the friendships that I built will last a lifetime. I’ll carry them with me for the rest of my life.
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