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Krieger philosophical on life, education at KU
   Getting to know the Junior Golf Scholars

   Some students go to college to get a degree and land a great job. Some go for the “college” experience and some even go to try and grow up. For Kansas Golf Foundation scholar Jim Krieger, college life has led to enlightenment and seeking a deeper meaning for his education.
   “…I found myself in a continued and intensified deliberation over my decision on a major…”

the University of Kansas student wrote in a letter to The Foundation in the summer of 2008. “…I began taking philosophy classes…and quickly found my new passion. I came to see philosophy as the most fundamental of all fields of study, one that could truly dig deep and find the true answers to life, being, human nature, and beyond.”
   More than a year later and having studied in China last spring, Leavenworth’s Krieger is much closer to that enlightenment, degrees in both philosophy and psychology and a career path that could lead him in a wide variety of directions.
   “I have a few options…I’m either going into grad school which would mean I would be going further into the academic theatre and maybe teaching,” says Krieger, 22. “I’ve been looking at law school as well, maybe going into law. Some of my relatives are also lawyers so they have encouraged me that way.”

‘Life-changing experience’
   Krieger calls the five months he spent studying in Hong Kong last spring “quite a life-changing experience.”
“I was leaving everything I knew, all my comfort in life, all my friends and relatives…everything that was built up in my mind for 20 years,” Krieger says. “Being there for five months has to have an impact on you…has to change you.”
   The social impact had a particular effect, Krieger admits.
   “I was there by myself and kind of forced to redefine myself in a way, because no one knew me because I was 8,000 miles from home,” he says. “I study philosophy, so I went over there with certain definitions built up in my mind about certain things. I took some classes over there and it changed the way I think about life and philosophy in general. And on a personal level, leaving for five months, the place where you were born and raised was quite an experience.”
   Back at the University of Kansas, life is pretty face-paced for Krieger as he pursues two degrees at the same time.
   “I’ve been primarily focused on my studies…with a double major it takes a lot of time,” Krieger says. “I’ve kind of put off having a job so I could focus on my academic career. I’ve been primarily focused on reading philosophy books and psychology reports.”
   Krieger says he was involved in the Young Democrats organization at KU for his first two

years before he left on his China trip.
   And he’s not the only family member wearing crimson and blue. His mother, Jackie Millin, earned a degree in applied behavioral sciences from Kansas last year and is pursuing a master’s degree while working. His sister, Abby, earned her degree in social welfare from the school in the spring of 2008. She and her new husband spent a year working in Baltimore and are preparing for an extended trip to the Dominican Republic.

Golf on a deeper level
   Krieger’s father, Jeff, was a PGA golf pro for 20 years including stops at a couple Kansas City-area courses as Jim grew up. So the youngster had an easy “in” to the game.
   “We also owned a family-run driving range in Shawnee from 1992 to 1999,” Krieger says. “So I kind of grew up there hitting balls.”
   When his dad took a position at Leavenworth Country Club, Krieger began to hone his game there and eventually he played on the Leavenworth High School team.
   “I played my first three years and went to state my junior year,” Krieger recalled. “(State) was in Hutchinson (at Carey Park) and I didn’t do very well. It was kind of a disappointment. Leavenworth really wasn’t known for having a very good golf team, so it was fun just getting there.”
   Krieger says he participated in some Kansas Junior Golf Association events as a youngster.
   “I never did too well, but it was a good experience to get out there with other golfers from the area and see what competition was like,” he says.
   He says he has learned some important life lessons out on the course.
   “I think (golf) helped teach me responsibility and kind of getting in touch with myself on a deeper level,” Krieger revealed. “When you are out on the course you are largely by yourself. And you have to rely on controlling your emotions…it’s helped me trust myself, my own decisions and helped me be more confident.”
   One thing is for sure, college is expensive and the deep-thinking Krieger says he appreciates the support the KGF has provided during his time at Kansas.
   “I think it’s been incredibly invaluable, not just from the financial aspect, but I think from knowing that someone outside my family and close friends cares about my education and wants to support me and thinks my education is valuable to the community,” Krieger says. “I’m really grateful for it.”