I Knew I was a Cardinal when...
...I took my first campus tour here
Nursing student Gabe Cochard is a triplet, and when one of his two same-age sisters decided to tour Ball State, he thought he might as well tag along.
Like someone on a blind date, he didn't know what to expect. But it ended up being love at first sight.
It was early November 2017. The quad and other leafy areas were still awash in fall colors. And Gabe really liked the size. Not too big. Not too small.
I was like, this is where I want to go. It just felt right. I applied as soon as I got home.
Gabe and his sister, Rebekah, are now both juniors at Ball State. Gabe is a nursing major and Rebekah is studying art education. (Hannah Cochard attends another university.)
Both also work as commuter ambassadors for the Office of Graduation and Retention. They make sure that students who commute to class — like themselves — take full advantage of University resources and stay on track academically.
Gabe and his sisters grew up on a farm in Greenfield and showed Guernsey dairy cows in 4-H. They volunteered in their church and community.
Today, he towers over Riverside Avenue on the south side of the Teachers College Building.
As a nursing student, Gabe's education has been especially meaningful, even life changing.
While privacy laws prevent him from offering details, one memorable clinical experience with a patient helped him understand the selflessness of nursing.
Those hands-on experiences in professional environments are what define We Fly, he said.
“Ball State does everything it can to make sure that its students excel in their area of study,” he said.