Meet your classmate…Bo Bruinsma

A political science major, criminal justice and mass communications minor is not your typical combination. But for Bo Bruinsma, it just worked out that way.

Bruinsma is a senior at the University of South Dakota and will graduate in May.  He said after visiting with his academic adviser, it made sense to get this degree.

“I kind of just threw in the mass communications minor because it wasn’t going to take any extra credits to minor in it,” he said. “I felt that it would be better to diversify myself with different types of classes, rather than pigeonhole myself.”

Looking back, Bruinsma said he doesn’t regret the decision, because he’s not sure what he wants to do after graduation.

Although Bruinsma has enjoyed his time at USD, he said this wasn’t where he originally planned to attend college.

“The University of Sioux Falls was my first choice,” he said. “USD was a back-up plan because I wanted to play football for USF. When I had a shoulder injury in December, I decided to come to USD.”

Originally from Elk Point, Bruinsma said it was also nice to be close to home if he needed to make a trip back.

“Home is as far away as I want to make it. It is nice to be close if I ever need anything though,” he said.

After graduation, Bruinsma said he would like to stay in the Midwest. He is considering moving to Omaha or Des Moines, but the possibility of attending law school is also an option.

“Originally, my major was political science, and I wanted to go to law school,” he said. “If I decide to still go, I’d probably go to a smaller one. It would also be kind of cool just to spend three years out of my comfort zone.”

Ultimately, Bruinsma said he made the right decision.

“I had a lot of fun, and I would definitely say I enjoyed my time here at USD,” he said.