A Call for Submissions for Bits of Flint, Future and Past

Midland University has a new president, Dr. Ally Williams, and many new faculty members. Change occurs with each new class of incoming students and then again in four years as new graduates find new paths in life in far-flung destinations. New lives, new opportunities, marriages with new editions to family all lead to new phases in life.

Bits of Flint, Future and Past is your once-a-year, one-stop-shop to share stories about the changes taking place in your lives. Let us know what you are doing, where you are heading, and what you hope to do in the future. Share with us your memories of Midland days, and send us recent photos, poetry, short stories. In short, we want to hear from you.

This year’s editors of Bits of Flint, Future and Past are Gabriel Van Winkle and Jasmine Bellesteros—two of the finest students I ever had the pleasure to teach. Let Gabriel and Jasmine know what is happening in your life.

We invite you to submit your work for the 2026 edition. Before submitting, please refer to the guidelines below. 

To submit your work, complete the submission form. If you have any questions, contact us at BitsofFlint@midlandu.edu.

Yours, Henry Krusiewicz

Meet the Editors

Jasmine Bellesteros

During her time at Midland University, Jasmin competed for the women’s wrestling team, earning recognition as a three-time KCAC conference placer and a two-time national qualifier. She received All-Conference honors twice in the KCAC and once in the GPAC. In her junior year, she was honored as History Student of the Year, an award typically reserved for senior students. Beyond athletics and academics, Jasmin was actively involved in her community. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and partnered with local businesses on recycling initiatives, with proceeds donated to families impacted by flooding.

After graduating, Jasmin moved back to San Diego, California, to be closer to friends and family. In July 2024, she accepted a job opportunity in corporate finance at one of the world’s largest hotel companies. After a year of growth, Jasmin advanced into a higher position in a different sector, now working in finance with a family health and hospital group. While her focus on history has shifted due to her career pursuits, Jasmin continues to nurture her passion by visiting art and history museums across the country in her free time.

Gabriel Van Winkle

While at Midland University, Gabriel spent four years competing for the Midland football team, three as a starting defensive end and two as a team captain. Gabriel reached his highest peak in his senior year, earning All-Conference honors in the GPAC and receiving recognition as an Academic All-American. As for academics, Gabriel was recognized as English Student of The Year in his senior year, an honor he is deeply proud of, given the immense talent of his English peers.

After graduating, Gabriel moved back to Kearney, NE, to spend the summer saving up for graduate school at UTEP in El Paso, Texas. In June of 2025, Gabriel's plans took a sharp turn when he was approached about a marketing job at a reputable clothing company with headquarters in Kearney, NE. As of July 2025, Gabriel has spent his weeks diving into search engines, AI, and coding languages to better understand the world of SEO. In his free time, Gabriel enjoys catching up on classic literature, writings on ethics, and staying active in the weight room or on the golf course. While writing has become less of a focus due to career pursuits, writing remains a keen interest for Gabriel, where writing poetry and short stories helps to make sense of the world (with practice during Henry's annual Hanktober).

Past Editions

2025 Bits of Flint, Future and Past
2024 Bits of Flint, Future and Past
2023 Bits of Flint, Future and Past