This week’s Student Spotlight features Missouri State University senior, Bailey DeJonge. Students featured in the Student Spotlights show characteristics exemplified in each of Missouri State University’s three pillars: Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence, and Community Engagement. They also exemplify what daily practices of sustainability look like. You can find these students educating, volunteering, and pushing for a more sustainable future. Please read on to see how Bailey practices the three pillars, sustainability, and what it means to be a bear.
Name: Bailey DeJonge
Hometown: Ozark, Missouri
Graduation Year: Fall 2018
Major: Urban Planning
What is your favorite vegetable?
Asparagus
What career options are you thinking about and why?
I am thinking about getting my masters in sustainability once I graduate. I would like to combine my degree in Urban Planning with Sustainability and work to make cities more sustainable with their infrastructure and developments.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Read a good book!
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere, I would do a road trip through the south of France. I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled quite a few places in my life, but the thought of taking it easy and just road tripping through a foreign country makes me excited!
When did you first become interested in sustainability? Share the story.
I first became interested in sustainability when I got into college. I took a geography class and I began to realize and understand all of the waste that there is in the world, and how there are more sustainable ways that we can do things that have a more positive affect on the earth. I began thinking about sustainability in all walks of life after that class. It was a real eye opener for me.
How are you involved in sustainability on campus and/or in the community?
I participate in EcoReps and have worked to make my family and friends more sustainable (unplug everything in the house when you are not using it, recycling, etc.). Just little things that I can continuously grow on by myself and with the people around me.
What motivated you to get involved?
I wanted to learn about sustainability. I knew what sustainability meant, but I wanted to learn what I could do to be sustainable, and Eco Reps has been a great place to learn how.
What advice would you give other students who want to live more sustainably?
Educate yourself, or ask someone who does know. I think the problem is that I know a lot of people who want to be more sustainable, they just don’t know how. There are so many resources out there on the internet that can quickly educate you on the basics.
What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.”