#MCM: Marshall Mosher

Co-Founder of Vestigo, 4 degrees in 6 years, and a selfless student who spent all his collegiate years serving UGA in various capacities... The Dean's List couldn't be more proud to have Marshall Mosher share his story for this week's #MCM:

The warm spring air blew through the green country grass, a beautifully orchestrated dance of flowers in flawless synchronization with the rhythm of the wind. I found comfort in its predictability, an inviting asylum from the devastation that had become my reality. Its magnetic embrace drew me in and with all my strength, I clung to it, to save my life, my future, and my sanity. Yet all my effort failed to mask the sound of my world changing forever, the waning scream of the ambulance that carried the only life I had known away from the scene of the wreck. I had just become a thirteen-­year-­old boy without a mother. Her years of dedicated teaching and incredible moral foundations defined the core of my personal identity, yet that single defining moment set the future I would ultimately pursue. My mother had dedicated her life to the service of others. She believed that the power of one’s full potential can only be reached when our actions serve a purpose greater than ourselves. She was gone, but I refused to let her unique dedication to selfless service be lost with her.

While I couldn’t possibly have understood the future impact of this decision, my dedication to selfless service propelled me into a life of genuine servant leadership. My enthusiastic pursuit of service to my community naturally guided me to incredible like-­minded individuals who shared my commitment to the creation of a better world. Alongside these impactful friends, I built a collegiate legacy of service through leading various honor organizations such as the Arch Society, UGA Blue Key, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Student Government Association. While these experiences fueled my love for this university, over time it became easy to get lost in prestige, as even the greatest leaders can often fall victim to the loss of humility. I distanced myself in an attempt to reconnect with what I truly am. Nostalgia pierced my gut as I remembered the person my mother was, the person I strive to resemble. I would aim for a leadership legacy defined not by the titles I've held, but by the people I've helped.

The scene came flooding back, the rolling hills of green country grass and the unmistakable comfort of nature’s embrace. I have always found solace in the natural world around me, on that day eleven years ago and on so many others. And it hit me; I could holistically better the lives of those around me both physically and mentally by combining my love of nature, healthcare, and technology into a single goal I called Vestigo. As the Co-­founder of my new company, we created an online platform to empower those seeking to explore the outdoors with local outdoor enthusiasts who can show them the way. With over thirty participants in the past two months, we’ve begun the movement towards a more physically active, spiritually sane, and environmentally conscious world here in the South East, and eventually across the country. Through Vestigo, I hope to both inspire and enable others to take the pledge towards a more active and healthier lifestyle by empowering the outdoors with www.vestigo.co

I have to admit; I never see myself graduating with three majors and a masters degree to go into a life of entrepreneurship. At first, I worried that my six years and four degrees were a waste. After all, I didn’t interview for this job nor does it require any diplomas on the wall of my office. However, the education I received at UGA, through my academics, friends, and my professional network propelled me onto the path of an endeavor I had always wanted to jump headfirst into, but never had the right timing. Eventually, I learned that life is full of unpredictable opportunities. All you need is the courage to seize the chance, no matter what the consequences to follow a passion that will change the world for the better.

#rolemodel #mcm