Hello my name is Tyler Alge and I am from Huron, Ohio.  Currently, I am a graduating senior at Holy Cross College, earning my degree in Business with a minor in Global Perspectives.  As a student and employee, my motivation, dedication, and persistence sets me apart from others. 

However, as the theme suggests, the road to earn my degree has been obstructed by many challenges.  Always approaching these challenges optimistically, I have learned to make the best out of every situation and benefit from each of my experiences.  I attribute this mentality to the one challenge which I thank God for every day of my life.

Raised in the Catholic faith, I attended St. Paul Catholic High School in Norwalk, Ohio.  Graduating in a class with 48 students and a (13:1) student to faculty ratio, I was given a plethora of individualized attention in the classroom.  Learning well in this environment, I decided to attend a small College as opposed to a large College or University.  After much research, I decided to apply to Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana.  

Enticed by their Catholic curriculum and first-year athletic program, I earned the school's first awarded athletic scholarship and excelled on as well as off the course.  As a three year team captain, I mentored teammates academically while keeping them engaged in the community through volunteer work.  Golf has been my passion and has helped model me into the honest and hard-working leader I have become.  

My first year at Holy Cross was going well until I received a phone call, informing me my girlfriend of three years had become pregnant with my child.  Being a man of faith, I knew I had to hold myself accountable for my actions and be a father to my newborn son.  Knowing this would be a challenge, I fully accepted the responsibilities fatherhood entailed.  At that point in time, I was actively discerning my path in life.  I was torn between dropping out of school to be with my son while struggling to support him financially, and finishing my college education with the security of our future in mind.  Ultimately, I decided to finish my schooling at Holy Cross College. 

My son Paxon was born during the summer between my Freshman and Sophomore year at Holy Cross.    Through the course of my Sophomore year, I spent day-time during the week attending classes as a full-time student and each evening as golf captain.  When classes finished each Friday, I drove three hours East on the Toll Road to spend the weekend in Ohio with my family. 

The challenge of being apart from my young family inspired me to work 40+ hours each week to save up money during the summer.  As a result, I was able to afford moving off-campus in order to live with my family in Notre Dame.  Therefore, the challenge of being apart has boosted my work ethic and given me a newfound passion to succeed.  With the help of my wonderful parents, I have spent the last two school years in Notre Dame living comfortablly with my family. 

Overall, I have been blessed by learning and gaining from the challenges I have faced.  I came to Holy Cross College as an 18 year old man who was concerned with having a good time, rather than focusing mainly on academics.  However, in facing the challenges of fatherhood along with the challenges faced throughout my HCC experience, I have been transformed into a mature and responsible individual with a real sense of direction.  These challenges have provided me w ith a newfound maturity and responsibility that has given my life a new meaning.  Life will always provide challenges; however, what we gain from them makes us who we are.