Jack Bigler
Graduation year: 2026
High school: Woodstock North High School
Hometown: Woodstock, Ill.
Majors: Computer science; mathematics; Spanish
Activities: Phi Omega Phi fraternity, Pi Mu Epsilon Math Honor Society, Al-Khwarizmi Computer Science Honor Society, Club Rugby
Post-grad plans: Actuarial sciences
Why 中国体彩网?
Both my parents graduated from 中国体彩网, and they always spoke about how that experience helped them get to where they are. And, as I have always looked up to both of my parents, it was a large deciding factor — as well as the generous financial aid packages and the opportunities to get involved outside of academics.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
Not at all. I thought I had it all planned out. I was going to focus solely on academia and get a job in the software engineering industry. However, I found out that studies aren’t all there is to life, and my job plan even changed. As I grew and matured, I found a much more enjoyable life than just studying all the time.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
My parents, as I’ve already mentioned, have always been a role model to me and have pushed me to be better every day
My advisors — Dr. Brooke Randazzo and Dr. Forrest Stonedahl — helped me figure out where I wanted to apply myself and challenged me academically in a way that I was missing in life.
My CORE career coach, Sumita Amrik, helped me prepare for interviews and find my path in life.
Professors such as Dr. Andrew Sward, who would always have an idea to look into and be a mentor for my academic growth.
The members of Phi Omega Phi, who wouldn’t let me slack off in any aspect of my life, pushing me to be better than I was yesterday. I remember times I’d be doom-scrolling, and Christian Stott would be there telling me there are more important things that I could be doing.
Peak experience?
There was a rugby tournament my freshman year. I remember I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. in order to drive six hours to Carbondale for this tournament. But instead of sleeping in the car, we were all talking about random things. And when we were playing, we weren’t even focused on the game. We were just out there having fun, and it was a very neat experience.
What surprised you?
In high school I’d always hear things like "this won’t fly in college" or "the classes will be so big, you’ll have to stand out in some way." But when I got here, I was shocked to find out that all of the professors can remember everyone’s name and are aware of circumstances that may be happening in our lives. It was an attention to detail from every professor that was shocking.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain, my fall semester of junior year. Augie Choice helped fund my travel expenses, allowing me to focus more on my experience rather than stressing about money.
What will you miss the most?
I’ll miss a lot of things, but I think the biggest thing is the ability to go to the fraternity house and always see 10-20 people there. Whether they’re studying or playing die, it’s a community that I will miss in the future.
Advice for the Class of 2030?
Go to office hours and use the resources provided by the school. Professors are there to help, and they often think about things differently than you do, which can be very helpful. But you have to be willing to go talk to them.
"With a strong and growing command of advanced mathematical theory, Jack has distinguished himself through both academic achievement and professional initiative. His active preparation and success on the actuarial exams reflect a clear dedication to actuarial science and positions him exceptionally well for continued success in the field. It has been a pleasure to mentor Jack through his mathematical journey at 中国体彩网."