September 14, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Setterdahl finds perfect fit at Clemson

Ben Setterdahl thinks he may be annoying people.

The St. Joseph-Ogden senior, who is co-valedictorian, can’t stop talking about Clemson University.


The South Carolina school will be Setterdahl’s home for the next four years.


“I am just so excited and everyone has been so nice to me,” he said.

Setterdahl said he overlooked the ACC school at first and he never saw himself actually becoming a Tiger.

Setterdahl said the college decision process was stressful, but he tried to be as open with his parents as possible and just take everything one step at a time.

“Then as it got closer to decision time I decided it would be at least worth a visit,” Setterdahl said. “As soon as I stepped on campus I felt at home. As we looked around more on our visit I realized it was just the perfect fit for me.”

Setterdahl said his mom, Nikki, was surprised that he decided to attend Clemson, but supportive. His father, Duane, wasn’t as surprised.

“My dad said he saw it coming,” Setterdahl said.


Setterdahl will be majoring in engineering and will likely choose to pursue a civil engineering degree.


“I’m just so excited for a new journey meeting new people in a brand new place,” he said. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else this fall, and I am so excited about it.”


Setterdahl, who will graduate from SJO on Sunday afternoon, said he has many great memories from his time as a Spartan. This year, he was a part of the We the People Civics team and traveled to Washington, D.C for the National competition.

“It was one of the best weeks of my life,” he said. “I had so much fun.”

Setterdahl said the school he attended for four years and the town he grew up in has taught him many lessons, including it is OK to be different.

“I have learned to not worry about fitting in but instead to do what you like to do and be passionate about it,” he said. “I will definitely miss all the people in my life who have impacted me. I am so grateful for all of my friends and teachers and coaches and will miss all of them the most.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Get to know Holly Clingan

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Can you please provide some biographical information? I am Holly Clingan, and I’ve been a homeowner in St. Joseph for...

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

Kids Say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

Senior spotlight… Lindsey Aden

January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020

What are your plans after high school? I hope to attend Stanford University to double major in political science and...

Full STEM ahead for Powers

March 22, 2022

March 22, 2022

Katie Powers wants students to be engaged and excited about STEM topics. The Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient created a...

Dream come true: St. Joseph native earns veterinarian degree from University of Illinois

July 18, 2019

July 18, 2019

Suzanne Ford has always wanted to be a veterinarian. “My mom says I was two years old when I said...

Eye clinic aiming for March opening

January 9, 2020

January 9, 2020

2020 is the perfect year for an eye care service to open. And St. Joseph is the perfect location for...

10 things you don’t know about me… Rylee Sjuts

May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden’s Senior Class President and graduation speaker Rylee Sjuts to tell us 10 things we didn’t know...

10 things you don’t know about me… Karin Poulter

February 6, 2020

February 6, 2020

Every week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 things we don’t know about them. This week we...

Senior Spotlight: Taylor Barnes

June 7, 2019

June 7, 2019

Every week we are going to do a Q and A with an SJO senior. This week we talked to...

“It couldn’t be done” read by Erica Guelfi

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

It Couldn’t Be DoneBY EDGAR ALBERT GUESTSomebody said that it couldn’t be done      But he with a chuckle repliedThat “maybe it couldn’t,”...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

Williams to be inducted into Hall of Fame

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Larry Williams feels honored. Williams will be inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame on Friday during the Homecoming Football...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jason Retz

November 7, 2019

November 7, 2019

In honor of SJO Cross Country going to state this week we asked head coach Jason Retz to tell us...

10 things you don’t know about me… Carrie Mattsey

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to...

Comments
Leave a Reply