Matt Mitchell

Since leaving SSHS, I have had many great opportunities. In the October directly following SSHS graduation, I left for a mission to the Guatemala City North Mission. While on my mission, I became ill and was diagnosed with Gillian-Barré Syndrome which forced my return to Idaho in March of 2005. After making a full recovery, I began attending BYU—Idaho. While there, I met my lovely, talented, beautiful wife Shelley (FYI: I met her in my very first class on my first day at BYU-I!).

Shelley and I both completed our bachelor’s degrees at BYU-I in 2010; she with a degree in child development and me with a degree in mechanical engineering. Two of the most important events that occurred in my life prior to leaving BYU-I was the birth of my daughter Lily (5) and son Levi (3). Following Levi’s birth—which happened two weeks prior to my graduation, I took a job in Idaho Falls working for a mechanical engineering firm. In April 2011, I left my job in order to pursue an opportunity to continue my education.

In May 2011, my family and I moved to Stillwater Oklahoma where I began graduate school at Oklahoma State University. I finished my master’s degree in May 2013 after which I was presented with another opportunity to continue advancing my education. I begin work on a PhD in September of 2013.

Regardless where my life has taken me over the last 10 years, I still feel like the same Idaho farm boy that grew up and went to school at SSHS. The red truck I had in high school is still running strong, despite the 200k miles it has on it. I’ll never forget the good times Richard, Corbet, and I had “movin’ the truck.” Here’s to the great times we had!

Good luck to you all and I wish you the best!