Permit me one more family- related post…

We are thrilled beyond words that our grandson, Taylor Ewell, son of our oldest, Mark, is a newly minted PhD in Exercise Science from Colorado State University! As this comes out, he and his wife, Marissa, have just moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where he has been awarded a post-doctoral fellowship at Mayo Clinic.

Taylor defends his dissertation, August 25, 2026, title as shown. I don’t understand it either!

Mark summarized Taylor’s journey in a Facebook post:

Is there a doctor in the house?

From his first day at CSU in August 2013, to finishing his doctorate this August 2026, Taylor has spent the last 13 years of his life at CSU. The same amount of time as he spent kindergarten through 12th, and all at one school instead of bouncing around multiple schools and multiple states.

He went from having challenges early on, to finding a path (and mentor) he really liked, to not accepting “no” when he decided to pursue a masters degree, to staying on and earning his PhD.

As a scientist, he has already published a dozen papers, and as the newly minted Dr. Ewell, he is headed to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to continue his research under one of the top sports scientists in the world (Dr. Michael Joyner). I’m always proud of Taylor’s work, and he has pursued this dream with a focus and determination that inspires me and everyone in the family.

In the Facebook post, Mark didn’t mention that when Taylor’s college experience didn’t start out so well, he joined the Marines, serving in the reserves for five years.

Discipline, persistence, success. Well done, Taylor! We’re proud of you.

A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. (Proverbs 13.19, NKJV)

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. – Calvin Coolidge