Junior Double-Major Finds Plenty to Cheer About at BVU

When you include BVU in your estate plan, you give students like Sammy Crawford the opportunity to thrive.

After sustaining an injury in high school, Samantha Crawford wasn’t sure she’d cheer competitively again. That changed upon her enrollment at Buena Vista University, where Crawford is a junior.

And, a BVU cheerleader.

“I had a back injury during high school and didn’t think I’d be able to cheer again,” says Crawford, a double-major studying criminology and criminal justice, as well as social work. “Coach Kezia Molinsky (Director, BVU Cheer & Dance) gave me an opportunity and said I could do all the cheering without the tumbling. I’m so grateful. It’s one of my favorite activities.”

That says something as Crawford, a Mount Pleasant native, is involved in plenty. She’s an intern for Admissions; she collects donated clothing for Jane’s Closet, a service effort for foster families directed by the Student Association of Social Workers; she’s been a part of the Criminology Club, the choir, and Students Against Violent Environments. She’s the cheer and dance team representative on BVU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

“I like to volunteer for anything I think will help people,” says Crawford, who works part-time at Storm Lake’s Hope Haven, a provider of community living services and supports for children. “I like my days to be packed.”

Crawford shares with various audiences and seminars stories from her childhood, scenes that detail growing up in a home where substance abuse was present. Her parents, both now recovering, work to support their daughter while strengthening their relationship with her. Crawford and her mother make presentations at workshops, offering a testimony about breaking the cycle of abuse. Crawford gave her father a tour of the BVU campus after a recent football game on Peterson Field, mere feet from the shores of Storm Lake. He’d not been on campus previously.

“My dad watched the football game and then went on the tour and said to me that afternoon, ‘I can see why you chose BVU,’” she says.

Professors and staff members work to help Crawford adjust to her schedule and life 4.5 hours from home. BVU Assistant Director of Admissions Jasmine Demers, Crawford says, was always immediately responsive to any questions she might have, no matter how late in the day Crawford would ask. Molinsky remains “super supportive” for Crawford, who enjoys her seventh season of competitive cheer.

Her academic advisors are Dr. Richard Riner, Assistant Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, and Marian Riner, Assistant Professor of Social Work.

“I’ve FaceTimed Marian at 10 p.m. with concerns about getting a paper done on time,” Crawford recalls. “And Richard is so passionate about criminal justice, you can’t help but want to succeed in the field. Both are huge impacts on my life.”

Admissions Office Manager Deb Willer, meantime, offers a motherly touch for students such as Crawford, hours from home.

“Whenever I’m having a bad day, it’s Deb who offers comfort and advice,” Crawford says. “As a student, you sometimes need a motherly figure on campus.”

And, whenever Crawford feels the weight of an upcoming exam or paper, there is Director Donna Musel in the Center for Academic Excellence, offering her a cadre of tutors. Crawford is never shy about seeking help, which is offered for free, thanks to resources provided by a network of generous BVU benefactors. Crawford says there’s absolutely no stigma at BVU when it comes to tapping experts in a variety of topics for a boost before a test.

There is a downside, unfortunately. “College is going by way faster than I thought,” Crawford says with a laugh. “I can’t believe I’m a junior already.”

She then relates how, as a freshman, she set a goal to graduate in three years.

“But now, I couldn’t imagine missing out on my senior year,” she says while readying for an afternoon practice with cheerleaders who’ve become like family. “I love being on the lake; I love being involved; I love the support that’s built in everywhere. That’s the kind of support I’m trying to provide others.”

Buena Vista University is home to scores of highly motivated, caring students like Sammy Crawford. Learn about the many ways you can support them by contacting Matt Astleford ’02, MBA, CFRE at 712.749.2648 or support@bvu.edu.