Tulips and cherry blossoms bloom on Miami University Oxford campus, the grass grows greener, and the sun shines longer and brighter. For first-year students, the excitement of their first spring semester is just beginning. But for the Class of 2026, the countdown is already underway.
As the seasons change, students watch campus transform, and campus watches students transform in return. They grow academically, professionally, and personally. What begins as an overwhelming sense of displacement for many quickly turns into a sense of community, connection, and belonging.
Graduating seniors Emma Fischels, Jada Kramer, and Lauren Keller reflect on their time at Miami University, from first impressions to final goodbyes. While their journeys look different, they all arrive at the same place: a deep love for Oxford, Ohio.
Then and Now
Then and now: Class of 2026.
Emma, Lauren, and Jada (left to right) in their first-year residence hall rooms.
Emma, Lauren, and Jada (left to right) now graduating seniors.
The Beginning
Moving into her residence hall for the first time, Emma Fischels, a Biology major with a Pre-Health co-major and General Business minor, felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. “It was very overwhelming at first,” she said, “but I was excited to see where it could lead.”
Jada Kramer, a Public Health and Psychology double major with a Gerontology minor, described Oxford as “the Oxford bubble.” Tucked away from everything else, the town can feel like its own world. “Everyone talked about how Oxford was its own little bubble. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to fit into that bubble,” she said.
For Lauren Keller, a Marketing major with a Digital Marketing minor, the experience looked different. Coming from a nearby city, she felt an immediate connection to the community. “I absolutely fell in love with the campus,” she said. “You can walk down the street and within 500 feet, you’ll see five people you know.” That familiarity, along with the positivity of both new and familiar faces, shaped her first impression of Oxford.
Involvement
At Miami University, involvement looks different for everyone. For many students, Greek life is a central part of that experience. It is often one of the first ways people try to find community, meet others, and build connections.
For Lauren, joining a sorority became a defining part of her college experience. It gave her a sense of belonging early on and introduced her to a group of people who quickly became her closest friends. “Joining my sorority was the best thing I ever did,” she said. “It allowed me to find like-minded people and my best friends.” Through leadership roles and everyday moments, she found both personal growth and a support system that shaped her time in Oxford.
Lauren (right) with friends at a sorority event. Submitted by Lauren Keller
Emma’s experience took a different path. She rushed during her first year but ultimately decided it was not the right fit. “I gave it a shot for about a month, and then I decided I didn’t connect with the people in the sorority the way I connected with people outside of it,” she said. What followed was a stronger sense of clarity. “I don’t regret it at all … I found such a good group of friends (outside of Greek life).” Instead, she found her place among people in her residence hall, her classes, and organizations.
Jada chose not to participate in Greek life at all. Instead, she found her place through other forms of involvement. By stepping into leadership roles and getting involved in campus organizations, she built meaningful relationships in spaces that aligned more closely with her interests. “That’s when everything kind of kicked off,” she said of her sophomore year. “I found my group of friends.” Through her work and involvement, she not only built a community but also gained experiences that shaped her future career path.
Jada (right center) and friends at a Miami Football game. Submitted by Jada Kramer
The Places That Made Oxford and Miami Home
Every Oxford story is tied to a place, not because of what the place is, but because of the memories it holds. Some local favorites that make the City of Oxford and Miami’s campus shine:
Mac and Joe’s restaurant
King Library
Patterson’s Café
Farmer School of Business Library
Kofenya coffee shop
The Art and Architecture Library
For Jada, it was Patterson’s on a Sunday morning. “You feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie, just being present with the people you’re eating with.” It became a space for conversation, reflection, and the kind of moments that slow everything down.
And then there are the places that do not always make it onto a map.
The marching band tower, hidden away on Western campus and easy to overlook, where Emma first met her now boyfriend. “I remember the exact conversation, the exact feeling,” a moment and a place she will never forget.
Emma and her boyfriend at a concert. Submitted by Emma Fischels.
Residence halls, where quick conversations turned into late-night debriefs. Living rooms filled with roommates, laughter, and familiarity.
Open fields where friend groups merge for sports and games.
Over time, these places became more than locations.
They became part of what made Oxford feel like home.
What They’ll Miss Most
The beautiful campus, historic architecture, and strong academics all make Miami University unique. But it’s the people who bring it together to create a sense of belonging.
Lauren described it as the small-town feeling. The ability to walk through Oxford and constantly see familiar faces. “It’s just the support and the happy environment,” she said. “Everyone is so positive.”
“I’m really going to miss living with my friends,” Emma said. “Coming home and someone’s cooking, or everyone’s just sitting together watching a movie.” It is those everyday moments that made Oxford what it was for her.
For Jada, it is the same. “Definitely the people,” she said. “That’s what makes it so hard to leave.” Even knowing she will visit, she understands it will not feel the same.
Oxford is more than a place. It is the people who fill it.
The People Who Shaped Them
Beyond friends and classmates, there were people who shaped their experiences in lasting ways.
For Emma, that person was Alan Strautman, associate professor of Microbiology. What started as a mock interview turned into a mentorship that extended far beyond the classroom. Through guidance, encouragement, and support, he helped shape both her academic confidence and her future path.
Jada credits much of her growth to the people who invested in her along the way. Matthew Arbuckle, Ph.D., a professor and lead departmental advisor for Public Administration, introduced her to opportunities that shaped her involvement on campus. Randi Malcolm Thomas, Esq., vice president of ASPIRE, provided mentorship and leadership that influenced her professional development. Vaishali Reval, Ph.D., an associate professor of Psychology, guided her academic work and research, helping her grow within her field.
Jada and Randi Malcom Thomas. Submitted by Jada Kramer.Emma and Alan Strautman. Submitted by Emma Fishels.
For Lauren, professors like Devon DelVecchio and George Denman left a lasting impact. Their passion and dedication made the classroom engaging and pushed her to see what was possible for her future.
Each name represents more than a class or a title.
It represents guidance, encouragement, and the people who helped shape who these students are becoming.
Advice for What Comes Next
Looking back, their advice is simple.
Say yes.
“Say yes to everything,” Jada said. “You never know where an opportunity will take you, or who you’ll meet.”
Talk to people.
“I’ve made really good friends just from sitting next to someone in class and saying hi,” Emma said.
Do not be afraid.
“Don’t be scared,” Lauren said. “Everyone is in the same situation, just trying to meet people.”
The smallest decisions often lead to the most meaningful outcomes.
A Love Letter to Oxford
If their goodbye to Oxford could be summed up in just a few words, this is what they would say:
“Thank you for the beautiful campus, and even more for the people that made it so special.” — Emma
“Thank you for giving people a community that’s going to last a lifetime, and helping them figure out who they are, and just keep preparing the leaders of tomorrow.” — Jada
“Thank you for the laughter, opportunity, challenges, and every moment over the last four years that has made me who I am today.” — Lauren
As graduation approaches, these moments become something to hold onto. The places, the people, and the memories that once felt ordinary now carry a different weight.
Oxford is not just where students spend four years.
It is where those four years shape who they become.
