The Arrow’s “The Museum of Me”

Cole Nowell is a first-year hospitality management major at SEMO. At age 24, Nowell is a non-traditional student. He has worked on and off in the hospitality business for a few years, specifically working in fine-dining at Celebrations Restaurant & Bar. Nowell decided to pursue a hospitality degree to further expand his career, and has plans to make his own meal prep service in the near future. Here’s a closer look into his life and three items that helped him get to where he is today. (By Molly Phegley ~ Arrow Reporter)

Nowell’s cat, Allue. Nowell was a combat engineer in the Army for four and a half years, and while he was away, he adopted his soon-to-be best friend, Allue. Nowell’s mother took care of Allue any time Nowell would need to leave for the Army, but whenever he came back to Missouri, Allue officially moved in with him. They’ve been together through many phases of Nowell’s life. “There was a time when I was sleeping on an air mattress for a few months at a friend’s house, which was really uncomfortable, but Allue would just cuddle up with me every night no matter where we were,” Nowell said. Nowell has not only been together through thick and thin with his furry friend, but he’s also traveled through many states and lived many different lifestyles with Allue, always finding comfort in her company. (By Molly Phegley ~ Arrow Reporter)

A collection of pictures of Nowell’s family and friends. Photos of Nowell’s family and friends contain their memories and updates on life back home, which Nowell received while he was in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. “I save them in this envelope, and every few months, I will find them again,” Nowell said. “Looking through them always makes me feel a little better.” One specific picture that holds importance to Nowell shows his mother and younger brother smiling together on Thanksgiving. Nowell wasn’t able to make it home for the holidays during his time away in the Army, so his family sent pictures of them at his grandmother’s house to make him feel like he was still there. (By Molly Phegley ~ Arrow Reporter)

Wireless headphones. These headphones are important to Nowell because he uses them to listen to podcasts and audiobooks to pass the time while at his current part-time construction job. “Two weeks ago, I had to sweep and mop for like three days straight at work, so I listened to the book ‘In Order to Live,’ by Yeonmi Park. It’s a wild story about how she ran away from North Korea and eventually made it to the States,” Nowell said. Nowell said he enjoyed the book because it kept him captivated all the way to the end. Nowell was once stationed in South Korea for the Army, so being able to have easy access to stories he can relate to and enjoy is beneficial to his work life by helping keep him in a good mood while working. (By Molly Phegley ~ Arrow Reporter)