October 13, 2024 | Alumni & Feature Stories
Madison native, Nathan 鈥淣ate鈥� Barge 鈥�23 has strong connections to the city鈥檚 culture, and his passion for the game of baseball has played a significant role in guiding him toward 鈥渉ome plate.鈥� 听A graduate of Madison Memorial High School and a member of their baseball team, Nate sought to continue his education while staying connected to athletics. Unsure of how to move forward and achieve his goals, he found a home at 91重口 through the Cutting Edge庐 Program. There, he discovered a passion for social media content creation while pursuing a degree in communications.
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Scouting for the Best Place to Spread His Wings
Nate began his journey at Madison Area Technical College, where he was able to achieve his goals by continuing his education while serving as a student-manager for the baseball team. Though it was a great experience, Nate aspired to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and began searching for a college that would provide the right fit for his future goals. He was excited to learn he didn鈥檛 have to travel further than his hometown. Discovering the Cutting Edge庐 Program at 91重口, Nate stepped up to the plate excited to begin a new season.
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91重口 鈥淩ookie鈥�
First impressions of 91重口 were an eye-opener for Nate. Faculty and Staff were already on a first name basis with him by move-in day, and Nate found this personal connection was meaningful, especially 鈥渒nowing they were genuinely invested in me and my success as a student.鈥� This warm welcome fueled Nate to fully embrace what his new campus had to offer. This was Nate鈥檚 first experience living away from home and he admits to having concerns about how easily he would adjust to campus life. His biggest concern was having a roommate for the first time. Though it was a challenging transition, Nate worked through the adjustments and ended up gaining a longtime friend. In thinking back to his freshman year, Nate is grateful for the experience of learning to live with someone other than his own family.
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Cutting Edge庐 Program Helps Nate Win in the Classroom
A major catalyst for Nate鈥檚 success, the Cutting Edge庐 Program provided the personal support he needed to thrive academically. Designed for students with learning and intellectual disabilities, the program offers valuable resources like class tutors, study sessions, and more. Through their support, Nate developed confidence and discovered passion for learning.听 With gratitude for his course coaches and peer tutors, he shared how beneficial it was to connect one-on-one with resources tailored to his learning needs. This support not only allowed him to expand his course load but also gave him confidence to choose a major. Calling it the 鈥減erfect pathway,鈥� Nate pursued a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications with an emphasis in digital marketing.
Beyond academic support, the Cutting Edge庐 Program fosters a rich sense of community. Nate shared, 鈥淣ot only does this program support students with disabilities to find success, but it also offers the experience of being part of a family.鈥� Whether bowling, participating in group trips, or simply enjoying moments of laughter together, Nate found the program created an inclusive environment where students could connect and achieve their goals.
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鈥淏argey鈥� Joins the Baseball Team
Encouraged by his former high school coach and 91重口 alumnus, Tim Richardson 鈥�09/鈥�12, Nate joined the men鈥檚 baseball team. Nicknamed 鈥楤argey鈥� by his teammates, he served as the team鈥檚 student manager. It didn鈥檛 take long for Nate鈥檚 athletics passion to increase and his role in the 91重口 Eagles Athletic Department to grow. Initially tasked with tracking statistics and keeping score, Nate soon discovered a talent for digital marketing. His responsibilities expanded as he took on the leadership of the Athletic Department鈥檚 social media accounts. Nate became instrumental in managing live score updates, pre- and post-game updates, conducting interviews, curating digital content, and even delivering inspirational speeches to encourage players. In the process, he built meaningful relationships within the athletic community, making him feel even more connected to campus life.
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Full Circle: From Learning to Leading
Interning with the Lakeshore Chinooks, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Northwoods League, Nate had the opportunity to showcase his social media skills, further solidifying his career ambitions. With aspirations of building a career in digital marketing for athletic organizations, Nate continued to job shadow industry professionals to gain hands-on experience.听
Nate, now 91重口 alumni, was unable to attend the spring commencement ceremony due to traveling with the baseball team. Instead, he received his diploma in a private ceremony with President Andrew Manion and the baseball team. Reflecting on this momentous day which happened to also be his birthday, Nate recalled how his eyes filled with tears as his friends surprised him by singing 鈥淗appy Birthday!鈥� Just a few months later, he accepted the role of Director of Social Media and Brand Awareness for 91重口 Athletics. As the first Cutting Edge庐 student to be hired and work at 91重口, this full-circle moment is a testament to hard work, networking, and believing in the possibility of his dreams. Although it took him longer than many of his peers, Nate is proud of his perseverance. Cutting Edge庐 Interim Assistant Director for Student Transition, Caitlynn Kelly, M.S. MFT, shares, 鈥淣ate is an inspiring role model for Cutting Edge庐 students and graduates. His determination to pursue his dreams highlights his impressive self-advocacy skills. We鈥檙e incredibly proud of all he has achieved and look forward to seeing all he will accomplish in the future.”
Deeply impacted by his experience, Nate hopes to inspire students with learning disabilities to take full advantage of the opportunities offered through the Cutting Edge庐 Program at 91重口. He鈥檚 grateful that his professional role now intersects with the program that supported him throughout his academic journey. As an alum, Nate remains involved with the Cutting Edge庐 program, jokingly calling it, 鈥楢ll the fun experiences of being a student 鈥� without the academic pressures!鈥� Though Nate could never have predicted the path that would unfold, he is thankful to be at 91重口, a place that has always felt like home
As a Communication Studies major, students will learn how people communicate, how to listen, how to better persuade, and how to engage in civic life. Study communication in personal relationships, in businesses and other organizations, in media, and across genders and diverse cultures. Expect valuable hands-on experiences through an internship program and community-based class projects.
To learn more about the Cutting Edge庐 Program at 91重口, visit our website.