Motivation on and off field leads to medical school for recent graduate

By Kay Boyle

When Nate Locke first stepped on campus he immediately felt at home despite the snow and freezing temperatures at that time.   He spent his day speaking with students, faculty, and staff members in the athletic department, and learning more about the psychology department. By the end of his visit, he knew BGSU was not only a place he could call home, but a place that would help him succeed.  

He began his career as a Falcon with a full ride football scholarship and his successes only continued to grow from there. He earned Dean’s List recognitions every semester as a student, Academic All MAC Honors, Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award, and the Commissioner’s Award every year from 2014-2017. In 2017, he was also recognized as an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, Wuerffel Trophy Nominee, and Academic All District. His unrelenting motivation carried him through graduation, where he earned the President’s Award and Top Ten Senior Award, as well as graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology.  

He will start medical school at the University of Toledo in the fall, but, he didn’t always know that he wanted to become a doctor. He started as an exercise science major and then changed concentrations several times before ultimately realizing that he wanted to practice medicine. Between his natural interests in the sciences and experiences with the health of those closest to him, Nate found the pre-medicine track.  

In Nate’s words, “It took me a few years to discover my gifts and that eventually lead me to pursue medicine.” Specifically, Locke is interested in psychiatry. “Since high school, I have loved learning about psychology and the mind. I find the brain so interesting in its complexity. Also, I have family members close to me who have unfortunately suffered with health conditions. More specifically mental health issues. So, this field is very close to home for me because my family has actually dealt a lot with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Those experiences drive me forward to one day help others in the same way my family has been helped.”

Not only was Locke an outstanding football player and successful student, he actively embraced everything campus had to offer- organizations, volunteer opportunities, internships, and research.  

For five years, he was involved in the campus church, H2O, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, both on campus and nationally. He volunteered with Rally cap and became a committee member for community outreach for Feed My Starving Children. In the summer of 2016, he was an intern at Perrysburg Counseling Services, and in 2017, Heritage Primary Care and Sports Medicine. Lastly, he worked alongside Dr. Woodruff, a Distinguished Research Professor in the Biological Sciences Department, on several research projects involving genetics.

When asked about managing such a demanding schedule, he said he was surprised himself.  “Honestly, looking back now, I can't believe I was able to balance everything I did. But, I think the most practical and helpful thing I did was keep a planner. Before every semester began, I wrote everything from all of my syllabi into that planner. Sometimes, I would write assignments and tests down weeks in advance so I would have time to prepare. I did the same thing with all of my organization activities.”

Despite graduating in May, he’s not done yet- throughout the month of June, he is traveling to China on a mission trip, and then, he plans to volunteer at one last high school leadership camp through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. When all of that is said and done, he will be trying his best to take time for himself to visit friends and family before beginning the rigor of medical school.

Locke credits the staff and faculty at BGSU for helping him achieve success and pushing him toward his goals. Helping him to “flawlessly” navigate his academic schedule and future were Devona Smith, an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Clare Spathelf, the Assistant Director of the Office of Pre-Professional Programs. “With playing football, and being heavily involved in other activities, they both played a huge role in my success by helping me stay organized, said Locke. “Their constant encouragement kept me driven! Trying to become a medical student is such a long process and is no easy task and I often felt discouraged staring into the eyes of the pre-medical beast. Nonetheless they endlessly encouraged me on my journey and, for that, I am forever grateful.”

A third person he credits his success to is Kate Mejiritski, Manager of Introductory Laboratories and his general chemistry lab professor. “There was a semester where I had to miss half of the labs due to traveling to away football games. She was so easy to work with in regards to rescheduling times for me to do my labs, he said. “Not only that, but she was always willing to tutor me when I didn't understand something, which happened quite often. We were able to spend a lot of time together and she gave me so much wisdom. Not just in chemistry, but how to be a successful student.”

For those interested in going to medical school, Locke recommends “finding your reason why. Going to medical school is no easy task and often becomes discouraging as well as daunting. Hold onto that reason why you initially decided to go into medicine to get you through those moments in your journey.”

And for all future Falcons, he says, “take advantage of all the things this campus has to offer. Attend athletic events, go experience the musical arts side of campus, get involved in organizations, research, and internships. There are so many opportunities here provided by hard working people. Please do not waste this time here because it will become what you make of it. I did all of those things and enjoyed my college experience so much so that I would not trade it for anything in the world!”