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Stanford University the next stop for BHSU exercise science grad

29 April 2019

Full-time jobs, internships, and advanced degrees. In this series, Black Hills State University will highlight the future plans of some of the May 2019 graduates.

Name, major, and hometown?
Luis Bach, exercise science major from Rodenburg, Germany

What were you involved with on campus?
Most of my extra time was spent with the football team. I was offered a scholarship to play football at BHSU and the majority of my day was spent in class, in the weight room or on the practice field. After my final football season I got involved with Student Support Services. I was a tutor for a couple of classes. I also worked over the summers for the grounds crew at BHSU.

Who is your favorite professor at BHSU?
Dr. Daniel Jensen from the Exercise Science Department. He made classes fun and interactive. He’s a cool guy to be around and very knowledgeable. Another professor would be Dr. Ashley Pfeiffer. She had a fun nickname for me. I brought grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast on the first day of class, and from that day on I was known as “Grilled Cheese Man.”

Tell me about your plans after graduation.
I got an internship at Stanford University in California for strength and conditioning. I’ll help the Athletic Department with development of the athletes there and get more into the field of exercise science. I used the knowledge I gained in the exercise science program at BHSU during the interview for this internship.

Tell me about a moment you experienced personal growth during college?
Last October I tore my ACL and MCL, two ligaments in my right knee. That was a hard reality to take in. The first couple weeks I was pretty down. But all then with all the people at BHSU – the support staff, the coaches, players, other students – it helped me to get past that stage and look more to the future. Bad things are going to happen and you have to learn how to deal with them. I used what I learned from playing football and being a student at BHSU, taking it one day at a time. I can see myself being more grownup from that experience.

What will you miss about Black Hills State?
Definitely the Hills. My favorite hike is Crow Peak. The hiking, being out in nature, walking on campus in the morning or after workouts – seeing the sunrise and sunset from campus. It’s a really relaxed place with a great atmosphere.

What’s your favorite memory at Black Hills State?
My first year here in 2016 we played Colorado Mesa University in football. They were ranked #13 in the nation at the time. We were able to pull off the upset and beat them by 14 points. That day, walking off the field knowing you’ve done something that has never been done at BHSU, was amazing.

What are you feeling as you approach graduation?
Excitement. I’ve accomplished the things I wanted to accomplish in college and now it’s time for me to step into life. I leave Spearfish with a smile.

How has BHSU prepared you for your future?
It helped me by having real relationships with people. I went to the University of Wyoming first - that’s where I started my college career. It was different being at a bigger school. I didn’t really know much about the professors there. You’d just show up, do your thing, that’s it. Whereas here, I interact with the professors. They know me as a person. Dr. Daniel Jensen is helping with my rehab for the knee injury. Having people here who care about you, that’s what I’m taking forward as I build relationships in the future.

BHSU will celebrate the university’s 177th Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4 at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center. The public is invited to join and celebrate the students’ achievements. An honorary doctorate will be bestowed upon Lieutenant Colonel Brett J. Theeler, MD, BHSU Class of 2001, neurologist and fellowship-trained neuro-oncologist in the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

Stanford University the next stop for BHSU exercise science grad

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