Meet Darion Brown, a senior exercise science major from Lacey, Washington.
Brown came to Dickinson State University (DSU) to play football. Recruited by a coach from his area, he accepted the chance to play at the collegiate level while pursuing his degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.
The exercise science program at DSU emphasizes hands-on learning and close faculty involvement. As part of his degree, Brown could choose between an internship and a research project. He opted for an internship, knowing it would give him practical experience. He interned at Elite Physical Therapy, where he gained valuable skills and successfully guided a patient through therapeutic exercises.
Many of Brown’s instructors are actively involved in athletics, making them knowledgeable and passionate about their field. "They take pride in what they do," Brown noted, appreciating the small class sizes that make instructors easily accessible.
One of Brown’s favorite classes has been Biomechanics, taught by Pete Leno, whose expertise and real-world knowledge brought the subject to life. He also credits Tim Daniel, assistant professor of Kinesiology, and Dean Kayla Noah for their mentorship and the personal guidance they’ve provided, helping him navigate the ups and downs of college.
Initially, Brown hadn’t planned to get involved on campus; his intention was to complete his degree and return home. However, after repeated invitations from a fellow classmate to attend DSU events, he saw how campus involvement could positively impact his college experience.
Today, in addition to being a student-athlete, Brown serves as the president of the student senate and as a resident assistant (RA). Reflecting on his involvement with the student senate, he said, “As I got more involved with the senate, I realized we have the ability to do a lot of good things, and that’s exciting to me.” One key opportunity is the student senate’s invitation to the monthly North Dakota Student Association Conference, where DSU representatives participate in committee meetings on state legislation, internal affairs, and student affairs. This experience provides learning opportunities for student senate members and allows DSU to share its perspective with peers from other North Dakota universities.
After graduating, Brown plans to attend graduate school, feeling well-prepared for the next step thanks to his instructors’ efforts to get him ready for the rigors of advanced study. Reflecting on his time at DSU, he shared, “While I originally came to DSU just to play football, I’ve met people in the community and made friends who have pushed me to grow outside my comfort zone, and I am grateful for it. I think if I told freshman me all the things senior me was doing now, he’d tell me I was out of my mind.”