Featuring Parker Kesting of Carroll, Neb., who is majoring in Political Science and International Business Studies at Wayne State.
Parker Kesting likes to stay busy, so it’s a good thing Wayne State College has clubs and organizations for just about everything. The sophomore from Carroll, Neb., studying Political Science and International Business Studies, is the focus of this week’s Student Spotlight Series.
At Wayne State, Kesting is active in forensics (Speech Team), the Legal Minds Club, Red Cross Club, Drama Club, Student Senate, the Fortis Choir, Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and intramurals. He also serves as captain of the Mock Trial Team.
While he loves extracurricular activities, he’s intently focused on becoming a lawyer.
“I was really interested in the law in high school, and I knew I wanted to be a lawyer after I graduated from college,” said Kesting. “Political Science is just the most common degree for people attending law school. I am also majoring in International Business Studies since I want to focus on business law.”
In addition to the activities, Kesting said Wayne State’s vast scholarship offerings also influenced his decision to attend Wayne State.
“I chose Wayne State because it has better scholarship opportunities than any other college,” said Kesting.
Scholarships are a form of gift aid that does not need to be repaid. All students are eligible for scholarships. They are not based on a student’s financial situation or their family's. Scholarships may be provided by Wayne State, private donors, or other sources. They may be awarded for academic achievement, leadership, talent and other qualities, financial need, or encouragement in a particular field of study.
“I received a Neihardt Scholarship to Wayne State, but I’m still getting the benefits of being in the Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP),” added Kesting.
RLOP is a special partnership between Wayne State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln designed to meet the needs of rural attorneys in Nebraska. The RLOP program recruits and educates students from rural Nebraska to become lawyers who will return to rural communities and practice law. Participants in the program receive their bachelor’s degrees at Wayne State and are then automatically admitted into the Nebraska College of Law.
Kesting will graduate in 2028, and he plans to attend law school.
Fun Fact: “I’m learning to speak Japanese and American Sign Language (ASL).”