Brennan Haake
Graduation year: 2026
High school: St. Joseph-Ogden High School
Hometown: Urbana, Ill.
Major: Neuroscience
Activities: Men's Club Volleyball, Delta Omega Nu fraternity, Asian Student Organization, Japanese Table, Japanese peer tutor
Internship: Texas Medical Center Summer Internship
Post-grad plans: I am going back home to apply for the JET program to teach English to kids in Japan, and then I plan to build experience to apply for a counseling or clinical psychology Ph.D. with the hopes of eventually becoming a therapist!
Why Augustana?
Augustana checked many of my boxes I had when applying to undergrad, with some of those being small class sizes, study abroad programs (even though I never got to go), a Japanese language program and a robust financial aid package. Admittedly, what sold me during my tour was simply how beautiful and how many dimensions the campus had — stairs, hills, bridges, rivers, oh my!
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
Yes and no. I had spawned on campus with a vision for myself when I would walk across the stage, but I was incredibly naïve in believing that my experience would unfold exactly as I imagined, especially when I hadn't even set foot on the Quad!
I was blessed to meet so many talented, thoughtful and incredible people who would shape who I am, and there were endless opportunities to take hold of that I didn't know existed until I was integrated into the Augie culture.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
The phenomenal faculty on campus: you are doing divine work in raising the next generation who will guide the planet to a better tomorrow. I want to thank Dr. Harrington for being the best advisor and professor a student can ask for; Dr. Schultz for being my role model of what it means to use science to help people through therapy; and Dr. Storl for assembling an incredible summer internship opportunity for students every year.
Also, CORE IS INDISPENSABLE!
My family, who poured boundless love and wisdom into my heart. They have my endless gratitude for being just a quick phone call away for insight into major turning points in my life and words of love and support, as well as raising me to become someone who wants to give back to the world.
Finally, my cherished friends, the beautiful men of Delta Omega Nu and the majestic cast of the Men's Club Volleyball team, who all gave me the most valuable experience of all — memories I will hold dear to my heart. (Bymin on top)
Peak experience?
My peak experience was the entirety of my freshman year spring semester when the trees and flowers finally came out to bloom. My friends and I would go out every day to climb trees in the Quad, play volleyball on the sand courts or just sit outside in a hammock for leisure.
I was taking a poetry class at the time, so I was able to immortalize the rose-colored vision of that spring through writing. I can't describe those weeks as anything less than blissful.
What surprised you?
How many things there were that I wanted to try, and consequently, how little time there was to try them all. I thought I would follow a linear, focused path to graduation, but different classes, majors, clubs, groups and even frivolous things like restaurants all caught my eye. All of these opportunities made my experience incredibly optimistic.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice on the Texas Medical Summer Internship, specifically to cover rent and treat myself to some great food!
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the community the most. From the heart-to-heart conversations to the friendly waves and smiles walking to and from class, the community on campus has been the biggest gift. I will cherish the adventures, the late-night Taco Bell runs, the quiet moments of sharing space, the intramural victories and losses, the funny whispers during class, club volleyball tournaments, the nights out (and in), and even hashing out life plans and catching up with all of the charming professors.
Advice for the Class of 2030?
Take one step at a time. Try something you're genuinely interested in; if you don't like it, look into your heart to find out why it wasn't the right fit. If you do, then keep going! Most importantly, be kind to yourself because this entire life is yours to do whatever makes you feel the happiest.
"Brennan is a student who embodies the liberal arts spirit so fully that I wish I could make copies of him and stack my class rosters. I was fortunate to have Brennan in several courses as he completed his neuroscience major, and I could always count on him to give it his best. He’s intelligent, hard-working, funny, supportive of others and thoughtful about his future. I hate to see him go, but I know he’ll do great things."