Morgan Rennekamp, Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2025
Morgan Rennekamp, Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2025Age: 29
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Military Academy, Psychology
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Active Duty Army Officer (Adjutant General), U.S. Army, 7 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I spent the last seven years as an active-duty Army officer and was accepted into the United States Military Academy’s teaching program. Through this program, the Army is sponsoring me to obtain my MBA to prepare me to teach business classes to cadets starting in 2025. My undergraduate degree was in psychology, but I applied for and was accepted to teach management/business at West Point because I wanted to challenge myself in an area that I do not have traditional experience. Specifically, I think obtaining an MBA will help me as an Army leader by giving me a unique perspective and business lens. This business experience will help me develop leadership and managerial skills while implementing business strategy to understand complex challenges that our military faces.
Why did you choose Dartmouth Tuck? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Community. Coming from a non-business background, I knew that I did not want to go to a school where I would just be a face amongst a sea of faces. Tuck’s close-knit community, accessibility to professors, and investment into their students’ success, both academically and personally, were an immediate draw for me. When I visited Tuck during their Military Visit Day, the warmth of the faculty, the enthusiasm of students, and the sense of belonging were overwhelming. Everyone was invested in helping each other succeed, and everyone wanted me to succeed, and I had not even been accepted into Tuck yet. The Tuck culture is unique and made it the obvious choice for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
As a female, active-duty officer, I bring a unique perspective and life experience to my class. Although I have no formal business background, I do have extensive leadership experience operating in varying positions and environments. I hope my classmates can learn as much from me as I will undoubtedly learn from them.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am currently in my “grandma phase” where I am trying to learn how to sew, knit, crotchet, garden, paint, embroider, and homestead. My current project is trying to learn how to quilt so that I can turn the dozens of high school and college t-shirts I have been carting around the world with me into a blanket!
Post-MBA career interests:
Immediately post-MBA, I will report to West Point to begin preparing to instruct for the next three years. Following that assignment, I will return to my previous function as an Adjutant General Officer (Army Human Resources) for the remainder of my military career.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Self-reflection. Understanding what was important to me about this experience, what I wanted to get out of an MBA, and what I wanted the next two years of my life to look like was essential to helping me narrow down what schools I wanted to apply to and ultimately choose. I realized that finding a school that aligns with my values and goals, regardless of what others think, was essential to my personal growth and happiness.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I had reached out to clubs and students earlier to gain insight on the application process and culture at Tuck. I connected later on in the process with the Veterans Club, and their enthusiasm and immediate dedication to helping me succeed, at not only applying to Tuck but any other programs, was tremendous. “Tuck nice” is real and hard to truly understand until you experience it. Reach out and see for yourself!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Essay writing. Although I enjoyed and appreciated the self-reflection that came with writing these essays, it is not my strong suit, and I struggled with writing and finalizing them. I am grateful for a husband and sister with undergraduate English degrees who helped give me much-needed feedback and advice.
What is your initial impression of the Dartmouth Tuck students/culture/community?
We have such a diverse group of students here and everyone is so open to learning and understanding each other and where they come from.
What is one thing you have learned about Dartmouth Tuck that has surprised you?
The dedication of Tuck alumni! Tuckies are amazing, and so many alumni are willing to give their time and share their experience. I have never seen such commitment from an alumni population as I have from Tuck.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Math. I am a proud “math camp” graduate, and MBA-level math is extremely intimidating to me. I am so glad that I chose Tuck because I know that my peers, my professors, and the MBA Program Office will not let me fail. However, honestly, math is still terrifying (economics is definitely a foreign language).
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Tripod hockey! It’s the one thing every student and alumni told me to try, and reminisced on how much fun they had doing it. I cannot wait to see everyone on the ice, just having a blast!
