After a long and riveting journey at Millikin University, Jack Hughes is finally ready to graduate.  

Jack came all the way from Greeley, Colorado to Millikin after being recruited to join the swim team and decided to major in history.  

After one season on the swim team, Jack decided to resign and applied to other schools during their freshman year.  

Despite getting into a few schools, Jack ultimately decided to stay at Millikin after making friends through Welcome Week, swim team, academics, and through being in the lively campus environment.  

After meeting Dr. Laura Dean at a study abroad fair, Jack attended a study abroad trip to the Baltics. During the trip, Jack learned about beekeeping in the Baltics. This deepened their fascination for bees and led to Jack becoming even more fascinated with Baltic beekeeping through Feast and Famine class, which covered animal and food history.  

After the trip to the Baltics, Jack decided to get a tattoo of bees on their arm, which mirrors a tattoo with dragons on the opposite arm which represents their love for dragons through book series such as Lord of the Rings and The Inheritance Cycle.  

“I read those books probably, like at least every summer, for many years,” Hughes said.  

After the trip to the Baltics and the love for bees evolved, the mirroring tattoo choice was obvious.  

“I’ve always liked bees. There were lots of flowers in our garden growing up, and I saw lots of bees hanging about,” they said. “They’re both creatures that hoard something gold.” 

Another special interest Jack has is sewing and making their own clothing.  

Jack first learned to sew at around 16 years old from their mother, friends, and various videos online. Their favorite article of clothing they made is their black denim jacket which sport various patches, spikes and studs. Jack prides themselves by making things by hand, especially in an age with AI use is on the rise.  

“I think it is a nice way to get in the act of creating things, which I think is important, and is the thing we’re far from in many ways culturally today,” they said.  

Aside from bees and homemade clothing, many students on campus may also recognize Jack through their work in the Staley Library, where they take on various tasks such as assisting students and shelving books.  

It is in the library where Jack expanded their knowledge of research and finding reliable sources for research papers. 

Jack has made an impact in the Staley Library, not only through their hard work on the job, but also their passion and skill for research, namely for their research on bees. Jack’s work supervisors had nothing but praise for them.  

“We’ve really enjoyed having them on our team. Hearing about their various research interests has been a lot of fun,” Librarian Liz Hollendonner said.

“They have a really positive attitude. They always come in with a smile on their face,” Circulation Specialist Kelly Mitchell said.  

After completing the majority of their history degree requirements, Jack decided to take on a double major, adding an English major during their junior year.  

“I need to do something to make myself more competitive,” Hughes said.  

Dr. Julie Bates would become Jack’s English advisor as well as their teacher in certain English classes. Bates commented on Jack’s willingness and passion for learning that always stood out amongst the body of students she has had in her classes.  

“Jack is one of those people that Professors always love having in class, because they’re always prepared. They have smart things to say and they’re perfectly engaged,” Bates said. 

Wherever Jack is, whether it be work or school, one thing is always present: a passion to learn.  

Since childhood, Jack has had a love for learning and history. They watched YouTube videos that covered various historical topics.  

Even Jack’s mother, Stephanie Hughes, recalls Jack’s passion to learn and share information from an early age, when Jack had a fascination for dinosaurs.  

“There were a lot of things I learned from Jack from when they were 4 and into dinosaurs. They could tell you all the facts and so I knew all the facts too,” she said.  

If that wasn’t enough to prove Jack’s commitment and willingness to learn, just wait. 

Earlier this semester, Jack attended Millikin’s annual Honor’s Convocation ceremony and won the Maria Leonard Senior Book Award, the John E. Vrooman History Prize, the Dr. Grace Patton Conant English Studies Award, as well as the Dr. Grace Patton Conant Society Achievement Award.  

All of these awards show the hard work and dedication Jack has put in throughout their college career, and they are more than earned.  

Jack doesn’t want to just stop their educational career there. After graduation, Jack is headed to the UK to get their Master of Arts in Medieval Studies at the University of York. After gaining their MA, Jack wants to go above and beyond by getting a PhD, though they have not decided on a PhD yet.  

Jack will be greatly missed at Millikin University, but they are going on to do greater things. Wherever Jack goes, they will always have a great impact on Millikin’s campus.  

Before leaving, Jack left some advice for any current students at Millikin.

“Do your readings and have something to say about them. I would credit that with any and all success that I’ve had.”