Upon arrival at the University of Missouri, Christian Birtell knew he wanted to leave something positive behind for future Mizzou students to bring the campus community closer together. With the help of leadership, he created “Show Me Happy,” a student organization that gives Mizzou Tigers a platform to spread positivity.

Show Me Happy accomplishes this through happy grams — letters aimed to make readers feel appreciated — and through 30-second interviews that allow students, faculty, staff and administrators to share advice and wisdom.

As Birtell graduates with a degree from Mizzou’s Sinclair School of Nursing this fall, the student organization is in good hands, with new members and an executive team ready to carry the club into the future.

“My favorite thing about campus isn’t a thing at all — it’s the people who make Mizzou feel like home,” Birtell said. “I like helping make Mizzou feel like a connected place, and I wanted to be an active participant in the community.”

Read on for a Q&A with Birtell about his Mizzou experience.

How has Mizzou helped you achieve your goals?

My wonderful advisor and all of the advising team at the Sinclair School of Nursing helped me navigate college in the pandemic era. I’m thankful for all the faculty, staff and administrators at Mizzou who took me under their wings and showed me the ropes because I want to be successful both in my profession and in life.

I had the highest quality faculty teach me what it means to be a nurse and a leader, and how to practice quality patient-centered care with a firm yet gentle hand. That is why nurses are the most trusted occupation.

Why are you proud to be a Tiger?

I am proud to be a Tiger because of what the tiger symbolizes: being bold, tough, persistent and unafraid. When I hear the phrase “Fight Tiger,” it reminds me that not only can I do it, but I can do it with grace and finesse.

What would you tell someone who’s interested in coming to Mizzou?

I would tell someone interested in coming to Mizzou that taking an interest in Mizzou is your first correct choice. This school is big enough to put you on the path toward tremendous success with all of the bells and whistles of a big university and many helpful resources.

But what you often don’t find at other big schools is the genuine grassroots nature and close-knit community of those who make up this university.

At Mizzou, you will find that the more you invest in your college career, the more Mizzou invests in you. If you want to make a change, you can do it at Mizzou, and if you want to elevate yourself, you can do it at Mizzou. While there are other universities out there, there is truly only one Mizzou.

What’s next for you after graduation?

As a student, I quickly fell in love with Mizzou and knew I wasn’t leaving soon, so in black and gold-blooded fashion I asked my nurse managers — a year in advance of my graduation — for opportunities to get a nursing job on the cardiovascular unit of University Hospital, where I currently work as a nurse technician. After graduation, I will be working as a Mizzou Made nurse for MU Health Care.

Why did you choose Mizzou?

I chose Mizzou because Mizzou chose me at a Meet Mizzou event I attended before college. I really wanted to make a good impression on the campus leaders and ambassadors who were there, including Dr. Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies. I gave my elevator pitch and told them who I was and all that I did in my hometown community of Carpentersville, Illinois. I even had a nickname, Mountain Dew Man, which had something to do with the soda but more to do with being a friend to all and serving my community.

After making my statement, Dr. Jim Spain was giving the presentation on why to choose Mizzou and at the end of his presentation, he said, “Mizzou is for you,” pointing to everyone, and then he pointed to me directly and said, “Mizzou is for you, Mountain Dew Man.” The rest is history.  

Editor’s note: Birtell recently featured University of Missouri President Mun Choi on Show Me Happy’s Instagram. Watch now.  

Meet more faces of winter 2024 on Show Me Mizzou’s Website.

This article was originally posted on Show Me Mizzou’s Website on Dec. 10, 2024.
Contact: Brian Consiglio, consigliob@missouri.edu