I graduated from Duke Fuqua’s MSQM: BA program in May 2023 and have had nearly a year to reflect on my time in the program, as well as my time prior to the program. As with any accomplishment, this was not something that could have been achieved without the sacrifice of my loved ones.

My selfless wife was the rock of our family during my studies and carried the burden of my absence in the evenings as gracefully as ever. Without her support, and informing our kiddos why daddy was studying so much, I would not have been able to achieve what I did. Having that family support is essential when taking on this program and I was blessed to have just that.

All that said, my love for Duke and my desire to earn a degree here was not something that began on a whim. Instead, it was something that began when I was growing up—with a ball and a basketball goal in the early 2000s.

Where it All Began

I grew up in Southern Oklahoma in a small town where you had to use your imagination to create fun outside—and I did just that. My parents set up a basketball goal on the side of our house. I remember spending hours outside imagining that I was in Cameron Indoor Stadium as the clock was counting down to zero, and I was left to hit the game-winning 3-pointer as I had seen J.J. Redick do before.

It was Duke basketball that really sparked my interest in attending Duke. I knew early on that I would eventually achieve that goal.

Pursuing a Master’s Degree at Fuqua

Right as the pandemic was ramping up in 2020, I decided to pursue a specialized master’s degree, and Fuqua was the first place I researched. I had the opportunity to connect with a Fuqua alumnus, who shared the impact Fuqua made on his life. Instantly, I knew that it was not only Duke’s business school but also my school.

Fuqua formatted the program in a way in which I could continue to advance in my career while gaining the skillset in management and analytics that is so vital to organizations today. From the beginning, the professors were engaged in the course content. My classmates were, and still are, leaders in their organizations.

Being able to gain insights from classmates in various industries and roles at Meta, Disney, West Monroe, Apiture, and so many other incredible organizations really enhanced the learning experience. Factor in Team Fuqua being more than a slogan, and I truly felt as if I was at home in my educational journey.

After the Program

Graduation was surreal—walking on the court in Cameron Indoor Stadium and sitting under the jumbotron. It is certainly a core memory for me and more than what I had even imagined growing up.

Since then, my cohort has remained in contact. Whether it be WhatsApp conversations, fantasy football leagues, or planning for class get-togethers, I am glad that I accomplished a lifelong goal of attending Duke. I’m even more glad to have become a part of Team Fuqua and the MSQM: BA Class of 2023.