From Silence to Success: Alex Mowrey

     From what I have noticed, people tend to stay in either the same state or roughly the same general area of the country when attending a University. This was not the case for Alex Mowrey, a senior here at Slippery Rock studying emerging technology and multimedia. Alex has really made a name for himself with this institution, whether it's  his photography with the rocket, being a community assistant for two years, a pride guide on campus, and even working in the presidents home. Looking back on his life, Alex would have never predicted he would be the person he is today.
      Alex was born on October 7th, 1993 in Orange County, California. His family is huge, seeing as his parents divorced when he was 2 and both remarried. His siblings are Allen, Aaron, Samantha, Maxwell, and Harper. Alex stated that most of high school sucked for him. He was picked on his fair share, being very shy up until his senior year, when he joined ASB (the student government for his school). Even if he spoke up, his voice was very suppressed and nobody seemed to listen to what he was saying. It was tough. On top of the student government, he was in a video production class, as well as dating someone who helped him break out of his comfort zone.


   Alex adopted a quote from the famous Dr. Seuss that was really the tipping point to help him turn into the person he is today. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Alex also told me, "Sometimes I look at that quote and see it as kind of arrogant, but I also see it as a great way to live your life. I interpret it as not being afraid to be yourself and do what is best for you. You are the author in your own novel, don’t let other people dictate what you can and cannot write. The people close to you that really care about you will stick by you regardless what you say or do, the ones who judge you for what you say or who you are, well I guess they aren't worth being your friends then." This outlook on life allowed Alex to make a huge decision, by leaving California and move to Pennsylvania where his mother was living. He wanted to experience college far away from home and immerse himself in a setting that was very different from what he was used to.

  

Alex Mowrey on Dipity.

     The move was very strange for him. Growing up in San Diego his whole life, he thought the world was a perfect place and he knew exactly what he was going to do. Alex's mother and step-father moved out to Pittsburgh his freshman year of high school and would visit on holidays. He looked at many schools in the state (SRU was actually the last on his list). Junior year, Alex came for orientation and immediately fell in love with the atmosphere in every sense of the word. It was a lot more peaceful than "hectic" California. With Alex's acceptance to Slippery Rock, he had to pick a major. Initially, it was physical education. He thought it would be easy to find a job right out of school, but soon realized, he hates running and physical activity. Emerging technology and multimedia was his next option, since he loved his video production class so much. It was the best decision he made and he has more fun than he could have hoped to have. This has allowed Alex to open up many more doors with the University, broadening his horizons.

   Alex hopes to pursue a career in photography and acquired his inspiration from his parents. It was an outlet for him to express himself in a way that he didn't really have to use his voice. He just used his art form.

Mowrey's Photography

Alex has helped others with their photography skills, as well as break out of their comfort zone. Becca Dietrich, his assistant for the rocket, is one of these people.

   As of right now, Alex is not too sure where life is going to take him. He is possibly considering going to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, to pursue a masters degree at his dream school. He, hopefully, will get a job working for the university, seeing as he loves the area so much. With his hard work and dedication, Alex will be a successful member of whatever organization he chooses to become a part of.