University of Missouri

June 15, 2015

Transfer students might start college outside Mizzou, but they finish as Tigers. While we meet them on campus during Summer Welcome, the newest members of the Mizzou family tell us why they chose to take their next steps clad in black in gold.

Here for Summer Welcome? Tell us how it’s going! #mizzou19

When Casey Diebold says he’s coming to Mizzou because it seems like “a fun place” to finish his college education, it’s not at all surprising. Because Diebold has a smile for everyone. He goes from booth to booth at Transfer Student Summer Welcome, talking, nodding, gesturing. He has an eager friendliness that screams I’m happy to be here. “There’s a lot of stuff to do here,” he says, smiling. “A lot of chances to meet people.” But don’t think the Lake St. Louis, Missouri, native is here just for a good time. He plans to finish up a double major in engineering and philosophy by 2017. #Mizzou19 - Erik Potter. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 14, 2015 at 7:27am PDT

Kionna Phillips loves working with technology, so she’s eager to start in Mizzou’s Radiography Program. The Kansas City, Missouri, native looks forward to the hands-on experience she’ll get at clinical affiliates in the area. A transfer student from Northwest Missouri State, she's happy about moving to a bigger campus. “There’s a lot more going on,” says Phillips, while on campus for Summer Welcome. “I’m excited to get more involved.” #Mizzou19 -Kelsey Allen. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 14, 2015 at 11:09am PDT

For two years, Columbia native Kaitlyn Marsh played on the University of Central Missouri golf team — and she loved it. But now she’s ready to trade in her golf club for an ultrasound machine. “Being an athlete, a lot of your time is taken up by that,” says Marsh, a transfer student in the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Program in the School of Health Professions, who was on campus Friday for Summer Welcome. “I am interested in getting more into academics than sports. That’s why I’m at Mizzou. I feel like this is a place that my academic career could soar.” #Mizzou19 -Kelsey Allen. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 14, 2015 at 3:32pm PDT

“I want to feel out electrical, civil and biochemical engineering,” says Jamall Brown, a transfer student from St. Louis Community College, while on campus for Summer Welcome. “Then I’ll probably check out rocket science and aerospace engineering — if I’m brave enough.” #Mizzou19 -Kelsey Allen. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 15, 2015 at 6:06am PDT

Matthew Jones might have started out at East-Central College in Union, Missouri, but with two Mizzou alumni parents, Jones was always a Tiger. “The path was laid for me,” Jones says during MU Summer Welcome. In high school, he thought he’d go into physics, but the incoming transfer student decided to take his ability to talk and relate to people and get a degree in marketing instead. It didn’t hurt that Mizzou has a top business school. Icing on the cake, he says. #Mizzou19 -Erik Potter. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 15, 2015 at 9:10am PDT

Stephanie Gerling and Emily Kallmeyer grew up in New Haven, Missouri, and spent last year studying at East Central College in Union, Missouri. Now both are transferring to Mizzou. Gerling grew up watching Tigers football and basketball and dreaming about going to Mizzou. “It just seemed magical,” says the animal sciences major while on campus for Summer Welcome. Kallmeyer agrees. “The atmosphere is just more me here,” says the education major. “I feel welcomed. Everyone here is so nice.” #Mizzou19 -Kelsey Allen. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 15, 2015 at 1:07pm PDT

The future is nothing but possibilities for Kirstyn Willis, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She already has a two-year business degree from Three Rivers College. She’s coming to Mizzou for a bachelor’s degree in journalism, possibly a second bachelor’s in business and definitely a minor in political science. Followed by law school, of course. “I like media, talking and the law,” she says by way of explanation. “I want to be involved in a lot of stuff.” // Willis has her eye set on New York City after she graduates. She sees Mizzou and CoMo as a stepping stone between Poplar Bluff and there. “It’s big,” she says. “I like the diversity.” #Mizzou19 -Erik Potter. Photo by Shane Epping.

A photo posted by Mizzou (@mizzou) on Jun 16, 2015 at 6:50am PDT