STUDENT BLOG: Feeling Goodenow: How a Gap Year, a Podcast, and a Cross-Country Team Shaped My College Story

Published: May 11, 2025

Author: James Goodenow

Hi, my name is James Goodenow, and I’m a senior graduating this May. I majored in marketing with a minor in theology.

Over the last four years, Greenville University has given me incredible opportunities, like serving as a student senator and completing a paid internship. I’ve also had the chance to compete on the cross country and track teams, which have played a huge role in shaping who I am.

I first heard about GU through my older brother, who enrolled five years before me. That connection made it easier for me to adjust, so when it came time for college, my twin brother and I decided to follow in his footsteps. But our journey to GU wasn’t immediate.

We graduated from high school in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. I lost my senior year of track and went through a strange, anticlimactic graduation. I felt lost and unsatisfied with how high school ended. My brother and I decided to take a gap year before college, and for me, that year was crucial. I spent it working as a waiter at a local restaurant in Springfield. That time gave me the space I needed to reset, reflect, and prepare for what was ahead.

GREENVILLE WAS THE RIGHT DECISION

Before college, I wasn’t outgoing or confident. But being at a smaller university helped me step outside my shell, be myself, and finally express who I really am. Joining the cross-country and track teams gave me purpose and community. These teams became my anchor.

I’ve been a part of both programs all four years, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. I truly believe you get out what you put in—whether it’s running, classes, or life. College is the perfect time to figure out what matters to you and what you're willing to work for.

TEAM BUILDING AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS

One of my favorite memories happened the very first week of college. Freshman cross country runners arrived on campus early and headed off-site for a week of camp. We swam in the lake, canoed, kayaked, and raced each other across the water to a big rock where we’d sit, blast music, and talk.

That camp helped me realize something important: this wasn’t just a team—it was a family. Our coach knew what he was doing. He gave us space to bond, grow, and learn to rely on one another. Those early moments shaped everything that followed, and camp is one of the things I’ll miss most after graduation.

FEELING GOODENOW: THE PODCAST

College also gave my brother Joseph and me the chance to try something unexpected—we launched a podcast. What started as a joke with our friend Marshal became something real. We called it Feeling Goodenow, and it’s available on Spotify. It’s been a fun, creative outlet and another way to connect with others.

It always takes me time to adjust to a new routine, and college was no exception. Balancing work, classes, and practice pushed me, but once I found my rhythm, I started to thrive. Work taught me to think more creatively—something I know will help in my career.

GREENVILLE IS MY HOME AND I WILL MISS IT

Greenville has been my home for four years. I’ve made lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and discovered more about who I am and who I want to be. Looking back, I’m thankful for that gap year. It helped me appreciate everything I’ve experienced here. From the team to the classroom to the lake at camp, I’ve been blessed—and I thank God for how everything turned out.