In April 2023, a few days after senior prom, Gabby Murison ’26 and her family drove 650 miles from New Orleans to Orlando. They’d vacationed in previous years to the area’s theme parks, but this time they had just one destination on the itinerary: ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄. The university interested Murison for its strong film program through the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. She also knew ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ offered a variety of pathways in case she discovered a new interest.

β€œI’ll never forget stepping onto Memory Mall,” she says. β€œMy thoughts about college changed. I got caught up in this environment of β€˜we support each other because we’re all Knights’ and I was ready to move.”

“I discovered something bigger outside the classroom. I built my world here.”

Moving was nothing new to Murison. Her dad serves in the U.S. Army, so she’d already lived in eight cities across six states.

β€œBut I’d never been anywhere like ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄,” she says. β€œI had big goals: to develop my creative side and learn about social media and film. But I discovered something bigger outside the classroom. I built my world here.”

The Curious Freshman Looking for Community

At the beginning, Murison was like most first-year students: a bit uncertain, searching for a connection.

β€œI realized quickly that the 670 clubs and organizations at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ need people,” says Murison, who minored in event management. β€œAs soon as I got involved, the student population of 70,000 got smaller. It ignited passions I didn’t know existed.”

“My perspective grew by talking with people … and observing how mentors … guided others.”

Her first connection came through an academic and community engagement initiative, which she saw as an opportunity to get out of her dorm and become involved in service, which runs in her family of military veterans, educators and nurses. On day one, she asked a fellow member, civil engineering major Luisa Cordova, to go for a walk. Murison learned about life in Venezuela on that walk. She also found a best friend and roommate.

β€œMy perspective grew by talking with people like Luisa and observing how mentors … guided others,” Murison says.

A mentor gently persuaded Murison to apply her communication skills to the campus community. Still in her first semester and despite a full plate, Murison volunteered for Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

β€œIt was supposed to be a simple way to pitch in,” Murison says, β€œbut as I guarded the pool, I was struck by the impact students were making by running this big event.”

By her sophomore year, Murison had been named to the executive board for Homecoming.

β€œMy involvement grew to the point where I’d see students wearing merchandise I helped design,” she says. β€œMy confidence and connections to ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ kept expanding.”

A Full-Circle Moment

At the beginning of Murison’s junior year, Malaret suggested that Murison transition from LEAD to the President’s Leadership Council (PLC). Murison found PLC to be another way to inspire ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ students to make the most of their entire college experience, just as she’d been doing herself. Around the same time, she discovered an ideal outlet to share her knowledge and growing love for ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄: as an Undergraduate Admissions Ambassador.

β€œWhen I was a little girl, I wanted to be Hannah Montana,” she says. β€œBeing a tour guide is as close as I’ve come to that dream. Talking about ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ to groups became like a performance, except everything I say is true.”

“My advice to students is to funnel your energy into organizations you care about. Make a difference. Grow your work ethic. Have fun.”

During at least 100 tours, Murison spoke with more than 1,000 prospective students and VIP guests. She walked them along Memory Mall, through the β€œwe’re all Knights” environment that changed her view of college, and described firsthand the transformative power of campus involvement.

β€œMy advice to students is to funnel your energy into organizations you care about,” she says. β€œMake a difference. Grow your work ethic. Have fun. And don’t be involved for the sake of a resume.”

On one tour in 2025, she met a girl from her high school in Louisiana, an 18-year-old version of herself, with one foot at prom and the other reaching toward the next phase of life.

β€œI must have given a decent tour because she just finished her freshman year at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄,” Murison says. β€œShe’s [involved on campus] and serves on the Homecoming committee. Isn’t that amazing? It’s gratifying to have made an impact, but even better to know that she’s creating her own path, and a personal story to share with others.”

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ President Alexander N. Cartwright and Provost John Buckwalter stand with a student wearing an Order of Pegasus medal, with a large Pegasus seal displayed in the background.
Gabby Murison ’26 stands with ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ President Alexander N. Cartwright (left) and Provost John Buckwalter (right) after being named to the 2026 Order of Pegasus class during ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s annual Founders’ Day student honors ceremony.

The Accomplished Graduate Ready for the World

In April, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ and Universal Destinations & Experiences launched a Pegasus Partnership to strengthen three decades of collaboration with aligning education with real-world experience, creating career pathways and developing themed innovations.

In April, three years after her first step onto campus, Murison was awarded the Order of Pegasus, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄’s most prestigious student award. She was notified that she had received the honor while on a retreat with admission tour guides, with whom she became friends.

β€œThe honor meant more because they were there to celebrate with me,” she says.

A few weeks later, Murison graduated and finished an event management internship at Universal, where she further strengthened her ability to prioritize responsibilities and find balance. She now has job offers from several companies in Orlando, though she could envision a move to California to pursue filmmaking or scriptwriting. There will be plenty of time to decide.

β€œI’m the kid who watched with awe when the credits rolled at the end of Disney movies,” Murison says. β€œBuilding something big from scratch always fascinated me, especially when it involves a team. That’s what my ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ experience has been like. For now, though, I’ll just β€” exhale. I want to spend time being 22 for a little while.”