The Brief Questionnaire is inspired by the Proust Questionnaire, invented by noted French author Marcel Proust. Enjoy the latest edition with Michelle Beeghly, M.Ed., an Executive Office & Administrative Specialist at the Crookston campus.

How would you describe your campus in just one word?

Community.

With my mom working on campus (retired after 45 years), I started at the University as an infant in daycare on campus.  I spent many hours on campus throughout my growing up years, then attended the University of Minnesota Crookston as a PSEO student, undergraduate student, and eventually a full-time employee.  Throughout all of those different positions, I have always felt comfortable and felt that the University is a welcoming community for all.

What do you consider the greatest benefit of working at the University?

The ability to collaborate and learn from and with others, including our students.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

At this point in my life, I feel that my greatest achievement was earning a Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) through the University of Minnesota Duluth (remote) while raising a young & active family with a husband whose work schedule keeps him away for long hours each day, working a full-time job, keeping up with housework, and maintaining some sort of sanity.  All of the faculty at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (Multi-I course) were absolutely amazing and made everything about the program great and so worth the extra work in balancing all of life’s offerings throughout those five semesters. It was so fun to be able to attend the commencement ceremony and meet my cohorts that I had only seen on Zoom throughout our studies.

What is your favorite place on campus?

Besides my office which I have designed to be quiet, peaceful, welcoming, and free from distractions, my favorite place on campus is the hallway leading from Owen Hall to the Northwest Research & Outreach Center.  I enjoy walking by the greenhouse windows that open into that hallway and checking out the plants which oftentimes feel tropical to me.  That hallway is generally always warmer and it reminds me of Florida, a place that my family visits often.

What is your motto?

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”  I adopted this motto when I was accepted into grad school.  This quote comes from Walt Disney, the developer of a World that my family and I visit a few times each year.

Maroon or gold?

Gold….it is bright and sunny!