Kenny Warner (’14)

Sociology/Anthropology Major – Sociology

What co-curricular or extracurricular activities were you involved in?

I was involved in the stand-up club at Truman, “Upchuckles”, as well as various volunteer work. I volunteered at the Kirksville Middle School for the majority of my time at Truman.

 What are you doing now?

Right now I am working as a musician, comedian, and handyman waiting for my first fall semester of graduate school at Saint Louis University.

How did you get to this place in your life/ career?

I got to this place through independent practice of music and comedy as well as my degrees from Truman State. The handyman work I have gotten through a family business I have worked for more or less since childhood.

Have you been to graduate school? If so, where did you go? Did you go right after graduating from Truman?

I have not yet but will be attending starting this fall as Saint Louis University. I did not go right after graduating but spent years working and practicing my skills as a comedian and musician.

Do you have any advice for Truman students who are interested in going to graduate school?

Yes, find professors in your major that you connect with and develop relationships with them. This will prove invaluable when you need the many letters of recommendation required for graduation school. Of course also take your studies seriously and expose yourself to as much knowledge about your field as possible. This will be very helpful when it comes time to think about what you might wat to study in graduate school. You need to have something of a plan already in place when applying to graduate school, and having some sort of ideological orientation you are passionate about will make this much easier.

How has the education you’ve received from Truman helped you?

The education I received at Truman has helped me discover what academic areas I am most passionate about. It also helped me to become a much more nuanced and critical thinker . The liberal arts curriculum at Truman exposes one to a breadth of knowledge it would be hard to achieve on one’s own. Also, the difficulty of the studies at the college increases one’s capacity for learning itself.

Is/are there any particular class(es) you’re glad you took? Did you like it/them at that the time?

Yes, I am glad I took a sociology class at all because upon entering Truman I was planning on only studying psychology. Taking an Introduction to Sociology class led me to find my true academic passion. I also took multiple classes on music as part of my degree requirements which broadened my ability as a musician despite not being a music major or minor.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Truman?

Although I was a very serious student when I think about my favorite memories of Truman they usually involve spending time with friends. I especially cherish my memories of returning to Kirksville after summer and seeing people I had not seen for months and preparing for the coming semester. I still clearly remember my tiny apartment at the corner of Pierce and High Street, and how much I would enjoy having someone over to hang out once I had gotten the place back in order again. I also cherish the memories of sitting and talking to friends before class started, especially those classes filled with immense relief that we had just finished some particularly large assignment or essay.

Why is Truman a good school at which to study?

Truman is a good school at which to study because almost everyone involved with the organization is committed to making sure you excel as a student. The entire environment, from the small class sizes to the small town not filled with distractions (but still plenty to do!), helps to allow one to focus on their studies.

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to go into the same line of work as you?

I am still very much in the novice phase of becoming a sociologist but I would really stress reading as much as you’re able to from a variety of sources. All of this will help you find what you’re truly interested in and would want to study yourself.

What do you miss most about campus life/ living in Kirksville?

I miss most the ease of living in Kirksville. Like many juniors I moved off of campus in my junior year but I was still able to walk almost everywhere I needed to go. There is not enough that can be said about how great it is to have essentially no commute. I recommend moving off of campus at a certain point to enjoy the freedom that this arrangement brings (and unique Kirksville homes), but also recommend really enjoying the dining halls while you have them at your disposal.

If you could teach current students one thing, what would it be?

Expose yourself to as much knowledge as you’re able to while in college. Take full advantage of the incredible resources you have at your disposal because they will not be there forever.