December 29, 2025 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

Talk of the Town with Susan McKinney

July 2, 2019

July 2, 2019

Every week we ask a village official three questions. This week we talked to St. Joseph Township Librarian Susan McKinney...

Sign ‘em up: Wagners to change locations in downtown St. Joseph

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jim and Jen Wagner want to invest in St. Joseph because the community has invested in them. “Community support is...

SJO to name football field in Duval’s honor

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

Like most people who have ever known Dick Duval, Brian Brooks can remember their first-ever meeting. It happened 17 years...

Allen reflects on state pageant

March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019

Gracyn Allen has been the Champaign County Fair Queen for almost eight months. Her 2019 has included everything from competing...

It takes a Christmas village

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Roberta Morris’ childhood dream was to be an architect. Instead, she worked as a pipe fitter at the Clinton Nuclear...

As children go back to school why is it important that they wear masks?

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

By: Jeanelle Murphy, DO As Covid-19 continues to thrive due to the delta variant it is more important than ever...

5 things you don’t know about me…. Carter Clark

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

Carter is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

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...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

She’s Back! Dukeman set to get another shot at softball this summer

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Hannah Dukeman is getting a chance to play softball despite COVID-19 stealing her senior season at St. Joseph-Ogden High School....

Voges urges St. Joseph residents to celebrate America

July 3, 2020

July 3, 2020

World War II veteran Bruce Voges loves America. When he told his kids he wanted to have a Fourth of...

St. Joseph youth Dalton revs it up at motocross nationals

July 29, 2019

July 29, 2019

This week, Tristan Dalton is trying to become a national champion. The 11-year-old St. Joseph resident is competing at the...

10 things you don’t know about me… Alex Neubauer

June 27, 2019

June 27, 2019

Every week we ask residents to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we talked to Alex Neubauer...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

Food pantry in need of donations

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

The shelves are almost bare at the St. Joseph Community Food Pantry. The pantry, housed in the St. Joseph Church...

Comments
Leave a Reply