When Joachim left Binan in the Philippines to attend Walsh University, he stepped far outside the life he had always known. Traveling across the world to study and compete as a scholar-athlete meant leaving behind family, familiarity, and the comfort of home. What he discovered in the process was a deeper understanding of growth and what excellence truly means.
“Looking back, growth was the gift with the biggest impact,” Joachim said. “As someone who came from the other side of the world, I was used to being in my comfort zone. I thought that was just my limit, and being able to study abroad allowed me to see different seasons of myself in the past three years—some were good, and some were difficult.”
Joachim came to Walsh after being recruited to play on the men’s golf team, but athletics were only part of the decision. His family was also drawn to the University’s Catholic identity and the opportunity for him to continue developing his faith while pursuing his education.
“For us, a school that can foster my faith was what we were looking for,” he said.
The environment also felt right. Joachim appreciated the quieter setting of North Canton, which reminded him of the calm and laid-back community he grew up in back home in the Philippines.
Now a Supply Chain Management major in the DeVille School of Business, Joachim was attracted to a field that focuses on solving problems and connecting different parts of an organization.
“I chose it because it involved a lot of problem-solving and a lot of coordination with different parts of a business,” he said. “I liked it because I felt like I did not have to be at the forefront of a business but rather to work in hindsight simply orchestrating the business’s essential functions.”
Alongside his studies, Joachim continues to compete with the Walsh golf team and will soon be inducted into the honor society Sigma Delta Beta. Yet some of the most meaningful lessons he has learned during his time at Walsh have come through perseverance.
“Walsh helped me understand that excellence comes from character,” he said. “Moving countries while pursuing golf and school was difficult, and being able to persevere and push through despite loneliness and homesickness was where I found my spark.”
Through those experiences, Joachim began to redefine what excellence meant in his own life.
“I realized that excellence can take the form of grit,” he said. “The constant persistence paid off. I did not feel that I had to be the best, but rather that through consistent care in my work, the people around me, and the passion I had for my endeavors, I was able to excel. I always tried my best to live MAGIS—to do more for the greater glory of God.”
Mentorship has also played an important role in shaping Joachim’s perspective. One professor who made a lasting impression was Professor Michael Prengaman, who encouraged students to think critically and act with integrity.
“He encouraged his students to be ethical and speak out when we know that something is wrong,” Joachim said. “He also encouraged us to think and question whatever is being shared with us.”
Those lessons helped Joachim see excellence as something broader than personal success.
“I think he made me realize that if grit was a form of excellence, being a total person is a further form of excellence,” Joachim said. “By this I mean to not simply be content with one aspect of oneself but rather try to go beyond what we think we know about ourselves and the things around us.”
Joachim’s journey at Walsh has also included personal challenges. Adjusting to life far from home while balancing academics and athletics brought feelings of sadness and anxiety. During those difficult moments, his motivation came from the people who believed in him.
“Back home, not everyone gets to study abroad and do well,” he said. “I knew that being able to study here was already a win for my family, and I had to persist for them, especially my sick father.”
Today, that determination continues to guide him.
“I think of my loved ones and the idea of my full potential,” Joachim said. “I believe these two components help me push through and aim to be 1% better each day.”
After graduation, Joachim hopes to return to the Philippines and use what he has learned to support sustainable food systems in his community.
“I plan to use the things I learn here to help the community back home engage in sustainable practices in business,” he said.
Reflecting on his time at Walsh, Joachim describes the University in one word: purposeful. For him, excellence is not a single achievement, but a daily commitment to growth, perseverance, and becoming the person he is meant to be.
