Mason Herzog

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Oregon State University, Class of 2022

Elementary Education & Business Administration

What did you think about college before you attended?

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I knew going to a big university would be a difficult transition, especially with the large class sizes. However, I didn’t realize how much help was available outside of classes.

How do you think being a first generation student has affected your college experience?

I think being first generation has made college more of learning curve. There is a lot of important information to know about that my mom wasn’t able to supply me with. Luckily programs such as you guys and TRiO have helped me gain the knowledge needed to be successful.

What do you love about Oregon State?

I like the smaller surrounding city of Corvallis. While it’s still bigger than Grants Pass, it’s not as overwhelming as some other college cities. Therefore, I still get that homey feeling like I’m in Grants Pass. 

What is your favorite class you’ve taken?

My favorite class I have taken was Multicultural Issues in Education. This class discussed common issues that come up in education. Then our professor would have students volunteer to be on a panel and discuss how the topic has impacted them directly. It was a very eye opening experience since I come from a smaller town with little diversity.

What has been the most impactful experience during your time in college?

It may sound weird, but my most impactful experience was failing differential calculus. I felt like I let everyone down including myself when this happened. However, my support group helped me regain my confidence in myself. Then the following term I retook it and it came fairly easy to me and I got a B+. This showed me to not let one class define who I am.

What does it mean to you to have been chosen as a Renaissance Scholar?

It means everything, without your support college wouldn’t have been possible for me.