New Midland resident begins higher educational journey at Midland CollegeSeptember 16, 2019

Midland is in the midst of a population boom, and Morgan Larabee and is one of the many citizens who have found a new home in the Permian Basin.

At the end of her senior year in high school, Larabee’s parents told her they were moving to Midland. They gave her two options: she could stay in her hometown of Aztec, New Mexico and attend community college there, or she could move with them to Midland and attend Midland College (MC).

“My family is the most important thing to me and I wanted to be close to them,” said Larabee. “I came to MC, looked at the campus and I immediately loved it. We moved in August 2018, so I was rushing to get registered for fall classes. The MC staff were great about getting me settled.”

Larabee is entering her second year at Midland College. She is working on completing her perquisites before applying to MC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. That competitive program teaches students to use sound wave equipment to generate an image of organs and tissues used to assess and diagnose various conditions.

“I really care for people, and sonography technology is really amazing to me,” explained Larabee. “Right now my prerequisite classes are creating a baseline for me; I will go more in depth once I am accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.  The prerequisite classes are giving me the necessary context.”

Larabee likes to be challenged. So far, her favorite class has been a science class most others dread.

"I have really loved all my college classes, but Anatomy and Physiology really stands out," stated Larabee. "The teacher, Joey Schenkman, is an amazing professor. He wanted us to know the material and really understand it. It was the hardest class I have ever taken, but I loved it."

“Anatomy and physiology is a fun, interesting, but rigorous course required for many pre-health pathways,” explained Schenkman. “Morgan possesses a strong ambition and commitment to studying and learning. She has always shown a true curiosity and drive to learn the concepts relating to human health and wellness.”

"Overall, I am really happy with my choice to attend MC," said Larabee. "The faculty and staff are dedicated to the students. My older siblings went to big universities, and they never had as much help as I have had access to at MC. There are free tutors, and the professors are very helping and accessible. Everyone is trying to make sure you succeed."

Recently Larabee was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Permian Basin Association of Pipeliners.

“I like to research and apply for a bunch of different scholarships,” Larabee said. “My parents and sister are members of that association, and my Mom urged me to apply for the scholarship. The application was rigorous; I had to write a resume, answer long form essay questions and get letters of recommendation. The process took a whole semester.”

Debbie McNeely, psychology instructor at MC, wrote Larabee a recommendation.

“Morgan is a student I will always remember as having such a positive impact on the whole class,” said McNeely. “She came in every day eager to learn with a smile on her face. Morgan always made sure to greet her fellow classmates and me; she really lifted the mood of everyone around her. It was such a pleasure having Morgan in my course.”

MC Speech professor Katherine Allen also wrote Larabee a recommendation.

“Morgan brought a lot of energy to class,” stated Allen. “I knew that her positive attitude would benefit future classes and her studies, and I wanted to help her earn a scholarship.”

Students who are interested in learning more about scholarships should visit www.midland.edu/scholarships.  Scholarship applications for the spring semester will be available on the website October 7 through December 2.