Blake Essex isn鈥檛 one of the students you see on the platform for every vespers and chapel, nor is he the center of attention at SA events. And yet, everyone on campus knows him. Standing 6鈥9鈥, Essex isn鈥檛 built for anonymity. For the last four years, he has honed his quiet, dependable and kind leadership style on Union鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball team.
鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed the lifelong friends I鈥檝e made while attending Union,鈥 Essex said. 鈥淭he memories that I鈥檝e made being a part of the basketball team I will never forget. I would tell every freshman to be themselves and get involved in school activities. It makes a huge difference.鈥
You could say business is the Essex family business. The son of Todd and Dr. Michelle (Miller) Essex, both 1998 graduates of Union鈥檚 Business Program, when it came to choosing a college and a major, following in their footsteps was a natural fit.
鈥淯nion already felt like a second home,鈥 the Mile High Academy graduate said. 鈥淚 had visited here a lot while in middle and high school, so I was familiar with the campus and had a lot of friends here. I also enjoy the tight-knit community. It鈥檚 fun to be a part of it.鈥 鈥淚 chose business because I鈥檝e been around it my whole life,鈥 he continued. 鈥淚 wanted to pursue business because of the success that can be achieved and the many opportunities that can come from networking.鈥
As a student at Union, Essex has had four internships with Tyton Holdings. When he graduates in May with his bachelor’s in business administration with emphases in management, accounting, and finance, he鈥檚 looking forward to trading in his internship for a full-time position as a controller at the company. We can expect him to rise as quickly in the business world as he does when dunking for his Warrior team.
by Rebekah Fingerson, an English Education major from Wisconsin.