Commencement is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 14, and we’re highlighting some of the incredible students who will soon be alumni of the College of Health Sciences.

Read on to learn more about Ben Terrell of Sedalia, Missouri, who is completing a Master of Public Health as well as a Master of Public Affairs.

Favorite Quote:

“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goals: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

–Louis Pasteur

What does graduating from the Mizzou College of Health Sciences mean to you?

Graduating from the Missouri College of Health Sciences means the culmination of years of work specifically targeted at enabling me to serve the public health. To me, this means working every day to improve the health, and thus the lives, of the people in the community that I live and work in. As long as I am helping others, I am doing something meaningful.

What was one of your favorite classes within your degree track?

Some of my favorite courses were the statistical methodology courses, like STAT 7020. I say this because it feels so powerful to take what seems like random attacks of disease, put math to it, and say “I figured you out.”  

What activities have you been involved in along the way?

Having worked full time during my degree and having welcomed my son into the world as well, my extracurriculars have been limited. However, I did enjoy being involved with the Graduate Student Council and the Public Health Graduate Student Association to meet other students and engage with them.

Who helped you during your college journey?

There are quite a few people who helped me along my way, but the person I have to give the most credit to is my wife, Elizabeth. Without her, none of this would be possible. Without her and our family, I wouldn’t have the drive for any of this.  

What memories stand out from your time at Mizzou?

I think the biggest memory for me was right after my son was born. My wife was resting after a long and painful labor (at MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital) and my son was sleeping between us. A nurse came in to do some vitals and the blood test for the newborn screening. Because of my work here at Mizzou and in public health, I understood what they were doing and knew why it was important. And knowing how people like me are protecting my son from the beginning of his life, that’s a big deal.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plan after I graduate is to continue working to help improve the health of Missourians. Missouri is an incredible state that I love, but there is much work to be done to improve the health of this state. So my plan is to continue doing what I’ve been doing, but now with the tools to do it smarter, better and faster.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

My advice is that if you have the soul and drive to help others, lean into that. It’s hard to go wrong when you’re helping other people.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I just have to say how proud I am of the people in this school and in this field who work so hard to be able to help others. The people in this school are driven to help others and stand in the gap for the people who need it — and that’s important work.