Life hardly slows down for Dane Huxel, a Washington, Mo., native majoring in manufacturing engineering technology. Since his arrival at Southeast Missouri State University, Dane has been an active student leader.
“Here at Southeast, it is very easy to get involved and make a difference,” Dane said. “Once I made the decision to be involved on campus, my options kept expanding.”
As a freshman in the fall of 2002, Dane marched with the Golden Eagles Marching Band at the Greater St. Louis Marching Festival in the Edward Jones Dome. To end his first year at Southeast, Dane received the Exemplary Leadership by a First Year Student Award in May of 2003. In January of 2004, he was nominated to represent Southeast at the Governor’s Leadership Forum on Faith and Values in Jefferson City, Mo. By April of 2004, Dane had won the Student Government presidency which gave him ample opportunity to make a difference on Southeast’s campus. In the fall of 2004, he was the runner-up for the 2004 Man of the Year award.
As president of Student Government, Dane spoke to the University’s Board of Regents on behalf of the student body to change the University’s nickname from Indians to Redhawks.
“I enjoyed being involved with the retirement ceremony of the Indian nickname and also speaking for the students on the new mascot and planning committee,” he said. “It was a way to set up the traditions for the years to come.”
Being involved on campus is not the only influence Southeast has exuded on Dane’s academic career. The faculty and staff have supported him in his many adventures, making learning and living at Southeast a fulfilling experience. Dane discovered how the one-on-one attention from faculty and staff inside the classroom could also be found outside the classroom walls.
“Outside the classroom in student organizations, our advisors are very helpful and willing to do what they can to help the students be successful,” explains Dane. “When the University surrounds students with great faculty and staff, it’s hard not to be successful in and outside the classroom.”
Although Dane enjoys his work on campus, he also likes to take part in extracurricular activities such as the Southeast Roller Hockey team and horseback riding with a fellow student. Roller hockey provides the chance to have fun and work as a team while getting a little exercise.
In his hometown of Washington, Dane also has a lawn care service called “Dane’s Lawn Care.” Dane started his business when he was 15 years old, and it has grown tremendously over the years. This past year, Dane was in charge of overseeing 65 individual accounts. Since his sophomore year in high school, he has been an electrician, working with several different electrical businesses in Washington and Jackson, Mo.
Traveling to lakes or oceans is another passion of Dane’s. He has spent many hours on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Mo., and plans on going to Daytona Beach, Fla., over his spring break.
“Being on or close to the water allows me to feel refreshed and care free,” he said.
With so many great memories at Southeast and so much commitment on campus, Dane’s best advice for future Southeast students is to get involved because it will make the college experience even better.
“Whether its sports, religious groups, Greek Life, Residence Hall Association, Student Government, or a club within your major, being involved can open up more possibilities than you could ever imagine,” he said.