Meet the Schwaerzler’s: One unique element of the much larger family portrait that is Dakota Wesleyan University

MITCHELL, S.D. – A college campus is comprised of individual students carrying their own unique journeys and backgrounds all searching for a new place to call home. Such distinctive circumstances span from far and wide all coming together to form a larger representation and portrait of a universities' mission and values. Remove a few of these unique journeys and the picture begins to lose focus and becomes quite blurry. However, strengthen each distinctive story and the image remains clear and transparent.

 Tiger fullback Matt Schwaerzler bears his own unique journey as a native of Auburn, Wash., a full days-length drive from the city of Mitchell. Auburn, a rising and picturesque suburb of Seattle, sits in the over-arching shadow of Mt. Reiner with a population of nearly 82,000 people. Yet being away from home and family is something Schwaerzler has embraced and according to his father, Tony Schwaerzler, is something he and his wife have encouraged all of their children to experience.

 "Not everyone gets or takes that opportunity to grow and learn away from home, though we felt it is something all of our kids should experience," Tony said. "Matt and I had visited several colleges across the Pacific Northwest and Midwest with the short list of a chance to play football at a smaller campus while maintaining a spiritual connection and the opportunity to grow and learn away from home. By the time we flew home the next day after visiting Dakota Wesleyan University, he had already made his mind up that Mitchell was the place he needed to be."

 Ready to embark on the journey and become familiarized with his new environment roughly 1,400 miles away, the Tiger fullback began practicing with his teammates and taking classes during the fall of 2019. Being away from home and family, a tremendous adjustment for any incoming college student and athlete, it did not take long for Matt to form strong relationships and embrace his newfound family both on campus and in the community.

 "I believe that one of the most important relationships Dakota Wesleyan has with its students is the opportunity to be paired with a host family," commented Matt's father Tony on his son's decision to attend and play football at DWU. "This relationship is one that we are so thankful for as leaving home for the first time can be difficult as an incoming freshman for a variety of reasons. Matt was taken in by his host family immediately as one of their own granting us a sense of peace knowing that he is safe, being taken care of and receiving help when he needs it."

 While fully embraced and accepted as a newcomer both on the field and in the classroom, the open arms also extended out into the community during Matt's freshman year. An NAIA school of less than 1,000 students, Dakota Wesleyan is truly unique in that the surrounding city of Mitchell supports and rallies around the college and student body at great lengths. Schwaerzler also iterated the significance of this sense of community in helping his son feel welcomed and embraced, despite being hours away from home.

 "For Matt, the biggest thing is the sense of community that surrounds the college and town stemming back to his very first visit," Tony stated. "Mitchell rallies around the college unlike anything he had experienced before and it really felt like a place where people cared about his well-being as a student, athlete and individual. Even today, he has been surprised by how connected he feels as a result of the support shown by staff and supporting community members."

 A similar sense of care and support, which first embraced and still surrounds the sports management major, also extended a helping hand to Mr. and Mrs. Schwaerzler during the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trying to support multiple kids in college, Schwaerzler faced the grim reality of unemployment for 10 months throughout the pandemic. Though as the saying goes, through good times and bad times family will always be there.

 "With two kids in college, the situation certainly presented a challenge for us," expressed the current human resources executive. "As a last resort, I reached out to the university asking to see what could be done for us financially. The accounts and financial aid representatives at DWU were not only flexible, but also showed us tremendous grace and understanding. In addition, when the decision was made to shut down the campus last spring, the financial aid team acted so quickly to make sure all accounts and financial aid had been adjusted and reconciled as a result."

 Asking for help, compassion and understanding in times of need takes a significant amount of courage. In a year full of trying times, social unrest and inequality has created difficult conversations surrounding race and equality in the country.

 Yet, similar courageous actions were taken by both leaders of Dakota Wesleyan and the Tiger football team this fall, sparking positive conversations in the community.

 "At the end of the day, it takes courage to make an unpopular decision or take an unpopular stand on any issue especially those that may have consequences as a result," commented Schwaerzler, a veteran of the United States Navy. "We know firsthand that many positive conversations took place as a result of Dakota Wesleyan's approach to social justice and equality this fall between staff, community members, coaches, players and students."

 Despite expected backlash from those who disagreed with the actions of the university and football team, Mr. and Mrs. Schwaerzler articulated a great sense of gratitude at the overall support generated towards students and players.

 "As parents we were beyond appreciative of the support shown to the players and students by administration staff and coaches. I cannot speak for other veterans, but as one myself defending the ability of our citizens to have their own voice is just one of the many reasons people serve," iterated Tony.

 From coast to coast and everywhere in between, this past summer bared witnessed to a barrage of collegiate teams and programs coming together in solidarity and unity, all taking a stand against racial inequality and social injustice. All using their unique platform to initiate and spark change, athletes participating in a variety of sports across the country assumed the responsibility of civic and racial engagement in their communities.

 "At the end of the day, university leadership should want to advocate for and demonstrate their desire to advocate for their students," expressed Schwaerzler on what made Dakota Wesleyan's approach to social justice and equality so unique compared to other college campuses. "Students and student athletes are a direct reflection of their campus, the quality of education, overall achievement and identity. Using this platform as an opportunity to teach students how to engage in real world dialogue on an issue this polarizing is a life skill that should not be left up to chance."

 Like a college campus and its supporting community, a photo is comprised of thousands of tiny, individual building blocks commonly known as pixels. As the number of pixels begins to increase a more crisp, high-quality image starts to form resulting in a much higher resolution. Though, begin to strip away these individual elements and a blurry, low-resolution photo ensues leaving the image out of focus and hard to comprehend with the naked eye.

 All part of the larger picture that makes Dakota Wesleyan University and the Tiger family so special and extraordinary - the admissions team, financial aid office, university leadership, athletic department, countless professors and employees along with the surrounding community of Dakota Wesleyan University have all earned their stripes. Your willingness to embrace students and their families like that of the Schwaerzler's paints a transparent representation of a university and community that truly cares about each unique journey and background.