This Spotlight series recognizes a student’s academic achievements and personal story. Students are nominated for this spotlight by faculty and staff.
Name: Hannah Preissner
Age: 20
Hometown: Fond du Lac
Career program/ major: Kinesiology
High School: Winnebago Lutheran Academy
Activities around campus: Volleyball and basketball teams both years; Student Activities Committee-Public Relations; Art Club-Vice President; Student Event Specialist (on-campus employment)
What led you to choose your program or major?
It took me awhile to find my major. After high school, I thought I would be going to school for photography and business. That completely changed. I went through about a year where it seemed like I was always changing my major and then I took an athletic injuries class and an anatomy class and fell in love. I had loved my anatomy class in high school, but at that point I didn’t think it meant anything. I kept finding myself more and more interested with the human body and I also love sports and being active, so kinesiology seemed like the perfect choice for me.
Why did you decide to become a student at UW-Fond du Lac?
UW-Fond du Lac was not in my original plans for college. I had a college picked out and was registered and had even met my possible roommate. But, due to some circumstances in August 2017, I was still looking for a school to attend. I chose UW-Fond du Lac because for a girl who has to pay for college herself, it was the most affordable college for me. UW-Fond du Lac ended up being the best decision for me in the long run.
Is there a professor or staff member at UW-Fond du Lac who made a difference in your life or inspired you?
One would be my professor Lee Watson. I have taken most, if not all, of his classes because they had something to do with either sports or anatomy/health topics. His classes are the ones that led me to decide what major I wanted to do.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an incoming UW-Fond du Lac student?
Even though our school is small, get involved, try new things – especially sports. Our teams were always low on numbers and could use the involvement. Do all sorts of things. You won’t regret it.
Describe something unexpected that happened here at UW-Fond du Lac.
I would say that my entire experience at UW-Fond du Lac was unexpected. I had no clue what college was going to be like, and this college ended up being the best experience for me. One experience that was unexpected was having a four-year private university contact me after watching me play for the basketball team. I had no plan of playing any sports after UW-Fond du Lac, but the fact that a school reached out to me was unexpected and really cool.
When not in class or studying, what keeps you busy?
I am a very busy person. Besides anything with school, I have two jobs. I am a sportswriter and photographer for the Advance-Titan (UW Oshkosh’s student newspaper) and I do photography on the side, mainly portraits. I try and find some time for my family, friends and myself.
What are your future education or career plans?
I plan on attending UW Oshkosh for kinesiology. I plan on eventually becoming an athletic trainer and would love to work with athletes.
UW-Fond du Lac is a campus of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Learn more about student life on our campus and the options for beginning one of more than 200 majors at UW-Fond du Lac. Call (920) 929-1122 to schedule an appointment with an adviser.