“Campus life was a hundred times better than UWM.”

DeAndre Gholston, 21, is a student-athlete born in Gary, Indiana who is getting his degree in Communication. Gholston played basketball for UW-Milwaukee and now is attending college in Missouri to finish out his collegiate athletic career. He’s attended several universities, and says UWM does not have strong school spirit.

Donovan Newby: What was your college experience like pre-Covid? 

Deandre Gholston: My college life pre-Covid was very much different than now a lot more active a lot more social campus life was more active a lot more students out and about. That was probably the main thing in my social life. Besides that everything else is not too bad classes are still saying that some online some in person The big difference is the social life.

Donovan Newby: What were your first two years in college like and what was the difference between them?

DeAndre Gholston: My first year I attended Kent State University in Ohio and my second year I attended Tallahassee community college in Tallahassee, Florida. The difference between them is the size obviously in Kent State is a very diverse institution. We had a lot of different ethnicities around so around campus we had a lot of different activities to for the Hispanics, Blacks and Whites. Tallahassee was a good school to go to obviously because of this.

Donovan Newby: Was your campus life at your previous college is better than at UWM and if so what was better?

DeAndre Gholston: All the things I kind of went over my first two years I was able to have a bigger social life whether it was going to different events, parties, athletic events different things like that.

Donovan Newby: In what ways can UWM improve their campus life?

DeAndre Gholston : I think just getting the students more involved will help promote different activities or have different activities set up, promote athletic events more so people can go and support the school. Just making the students have to connect with one another. Become social with each other and have a good time.

Donovan Newby: How was campus life for you this past year with covid slowly winding?

DeAndre Gholston: With Covid winding down things might be able to go back to normal but realistically it probably won’t ever go back to normal. People are still scared of Covid, scared to come outside and interact with people in fear of catching Covid. It’s still a little difficult right now on the court. Things got better we were able to have fans come to our games and support us and watch. Off the court it was good to be able to see students at the union and just meet them and kind of interact off the court it was good to be able to see students at the union and just meet them and kind of interact with that room with my peers.