Marketing the mission: Cadet Olivia Ray prepares to graduate

BY HELENA KNUTSON

Marketing Director

The art of snapping photos of the Corps of Cadets in their tan uniforms and capturing their renowned celebrations at Saturday games is an experience Cadet Olivia Ray has grown accustomed to during her time at Tarleton.

Ray has served as the marketing intern for the Corps of Cadets since her sophomore year at Tarleton State University; however, that wasn’t her original plan.

“I have never known college without the Corps of Cadets. I was a PSA student, and my plan was to transfer to Texas A&M and join their Corps of Cadets, but once I had the experience I did here freshman year, I decided I did not want to go,” Ray said.

She was given the role of marketing intern her sophomore year but originally had no particular aspirations of taking on the role.

“I didn’t pursue the marketing role, but the marketing role pursued me,” Ray said. “I think that people realized I was majoring in communications and marketing, and that there was a place for that role here… they just kind of placed this role at my feet. And I’m just so glad they did, because I’ve learned so much, and I think it has prepared me well for my life after college.”

Ray’s role in this position includes photography, running social media accounts, collecting statistics from social media and making sure the Corps is portrayed in a good light. However, through all her work, Ray has had a favorite part: helping run the Corps’ Instagram account.

“One thing I’m proud of is our Instagram and how much that has grown and how much I’ve really fostered that growth through my photography and my skills there,” Ray said. “I feel like Instagram is my little baby now, and I’m going to be so sad to leave it in other hands.”

Cadet Carter McKay, a senior marketing major, has been friends with Ray since freshman year, when they both joined the Corps. As a result, McKay has witnessed Ray’s growth firsthand across several roles.

“She has grown in numerous ways,” McKay said. “She kind of helped kick-start the corps media team, along with our main recruiter, Second Lieutenant Trapnell. She has a really good eye and is really good with the camera, but she’s also developed as an individual, too.”

McKay also highlighted the leadership Ray has demonstrated in addition to her media work.

“She was a company first sergeant last year, which is probably one of the bigger roles as a junior. That was a good role for her to develop her leadership skills,” McKay said. “But her big bread and butter was the media team and having really good pictures, which has been really good for the Corps in trying to push the image and grow on campus – not only on campus but in the state of Texas.”

Along with her work in the Corps of Cadets, Ray served as a TTM (Tarleton Transition Mentor) at Duck Camp, a role that helped her grow and clarify her career aspirations. But serving as a TTM didn’t just benefit Ray – it also benefited the organization she loves, the Corps of Cadets.

“She was a TTM for a summer, and anytime there’s a corps member who is a TTM, it’s always good for us, as it kind of helps us recruit,” McKay said. “It was a really good role for her, and she definitely fits the personality for TTM, being able to have that energy and drive that it takes.”

While McKay can attest to the impact Ray has had on the Corps of Cadets, Ray can attest to how it, in turn, has contributed to her personal growth and become a home for her.

“I have grown a lot since my freshman year. I feel like I didn’t even know what I was doing freshman year, and my priorities were, of course, all out of whack,” Ray said. “Now, I’m much more disciplined, hold myself accountable and have actual goals.”

However, that maturity in life hasn’t been the only thing to expand; Ray has grown within her faith while at Tarleton.

“Spiritually, mentally and emotionally, I have really, really grown,” Ray said. “I have changed through my walk with Christ, and I’ve become much more in the world and become stronger. I feel like I have just grown for the better.”

Throughout her numerous leadership roles in college, Ray has looked up to many people she can attribute to her self-development, but the one who has held the most meaning to her is her boyfriend, Michael Dorsey.

“He was a junior when I was a freshman, and he held the highest junior role that you can hold in the program,” Ray said. “Of course, he has since graduated, but I have always admired the way he leads so effortlessly and naturally, and I always look up to him. I always have and I still do.”

Between her tightly knit circle of loved ones and their direct connection to the Corps of Cadets, Ray has formed a support system that has helped her through college and will continue to do so beyond – something she is truly grateful for.

“Without a doubt, the Corps has been my biggest support system,” Ray said. “These past three and a half years, doing morning training together every day—with everyone encouraging you—you do it all together. Everything is done together, and that is really special. It’s such a good support system.”