Garrett Nyegaard: Integrity – Being Honest and Having Good Morals is Important

Update: I’m going to get married October 10, 2020. I’m going to be teaching next year at Minden High School and I will also be an assistant girl’s soccer coach and an assistant softball coach. I’m also going to get my Master’s in Educational Leadership from Northwestern State starting in the Fall.

Which tenet mean the most to you and why?

The tenet that means the most to me is integrity. Being honest and having good morals is very important to me. If one of my friends had to describe me as one of the Tenets of Tech, I would want them to say that I’m a person of integrity. To be seen as an honest and morally sound person is very important to me.

Background

I’m from Marion, Louisiana, but I spent the majority of my time in Farmerville, Louisiana. I attended D’Arbonne Woods Charter School in Farmerville, Louisiana. In high school, I was on baseball team. My senior year I was selected first-team all district outfield.

What career path have you chosen and why?

For my career path, I have chosen to be a physical education teacher/coach. I chose this career path because I enjoy working with kids and being involved in sports. I also felt this career path would help me to become be a better coach. Earlier this year I became an assistant softball coach at Quitman High School.

Why did you choose Tech?

I actually didn’t originally choose Tech. During my first year of college, I attended ULM. I ended up coming to Tech because more of my friends came here. I also liked the atmosphere more at Tech, and I attend more events here than I did at ULM.

Why did you choose Kinesiology?

I originally chose Kinesiology because I wanted to go the physical therapy route, but that was too boring to me, so I switched to Health & Physical Education. I chose HPE because it’s very fun to be involved with kids, and I feel like I have a lot more freedom to have fun.

What things do you like best about the department?

I like how the teachers and students are very welcoming. I know my teachers and they know me by name. I also like the friendships that have been made with fellow classmates and the conversations that we have. I like how everyone is their genuine selves in this department.

What collegiate activities are you involved in?

Intramural softball.

What community activities are you involved in?

I was a part of Gear Up for College at Louisiana Tech last summer.

What are your top 2 best experiences you have had in Ruston?

One of my best experiences is the combination of sporting events that I’ve been to. Attending football, baseball, softball, and basketball games are great.

My second best experience was when the tornado came through. Even though the tornado was a terrible thing to happen to Ruston, I really liked how the community came together to help clean up Ruston. It made me like this community even more.

If not from Ruston how do you feel about the community?

I really like how Ruston is a “quiet” place. Not a lot happens in Ruston, and I’m honestly okay with that. In general, the community is super friendly, and very supportive of Louisiana Tech.

What are some of your favorite educational experiences, classes you have had?

My favorite class that I’ve had is Sport Psychology. I really like Sport Psych, because I coach. I feel like I can use things I learned in that class and translate them to the field/sport. I also like the way Dr. Blazo teaches and all of the questioning he uses to get us to think harder. Other than Sport Psych, I liked Individual Sports and Team Sports with Dr. Chen. I enjoyed playing badminton and softball during those classes.

Graduation Date? What are your future plans?

I plan on graduating in Spring 2020. After I graduate, I plan on being a physical education teacher at a local school while also pursuing my masters in Education Leadership.

What advice do you have for our freshmen?

I would tell freshman to choose a major that they enjoy. I don’t think they should choose a certain major because it allows them to make a lot of money. I’d rather enjoy my job and make a little money than have a job I hate and make a lot of money. I would also tell them to look out for Motor Learning because that class is hard. I would also tell them to take their anatomy classes very seriously, because the anatomy class with Dr. Singh is pretty tough. (KINE 326)

What would you say to a high school senior trying to decide where to attend college to influence them to come to Tech?

I would let them know that the people at Louisiana Tech are very inviting and friendly. I would also tell them that Tech is super affordable for the education you get. I also feel like my classes have prepared me for the career I will have in the future. I would also encourage them to come by the Kinesiology department. Everyone has always been very friendly to me, and I’ve made genuine friends with my classmates through just being in class with them.