From RoomSync to Real Friends: How Four UNO Students Turned Their Dorm Into a Home
UNO roommates who started as strangers have built a close-knit community, navigating college life together with laughter, late-night chats, and unforgettable memories.
- published: 2024/12/12
- contact: Bella Lockwood-Watson - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
- email: unonews@unomaha.edu
From left to right: McCartney, James, Derek, and Brandon are seen cheering on the Mavericks at an Omaha Hockey game.
The four roommates diligently curated their dorm to turn it into a home.
The four roommates are often together, whether they're walking to class, heading to a hockey game, or grabbing a bite to eat.
Even when they're just at home hanging out, the friends are usually still keep each other company.
When they aren't hard at work, the group likes to relax in hammocks on campus.
When Derek Dykstra, James Haver, McCartney Fitzgerald, and Brandon Lao arrived at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) for their first year of college, they had no idea they’d be matched as roommates.
Fast forward only two years, and they’re no longer just roommates; they’re a four-person comedy troupe, an impromptu counseling group, and unofficial food critics. They may have been strangers at first, but they’ve turned their dorm into a home, complete with inside jokes, late-night debates, and stolen snacks.
Their story started with the RoomSync app, a matching system meant to help students find their perfect roommate, and a scholarship program through the College of Arts and Sciences. While Dykstra connected with Lao through the platform, Lao and Fitzgerald were connected through the Downey Scholarship Program for Mathematics at UNO. As part of this program, high-achieving math majors are placed in cohort-based on-campus living arrangements covered by the program, in addition to mentorship opportunities. They eventually met Haver, completing the dynamic that’s now become an inseparable unit.
“We all came in with an open mind,” said Fitzgerald. “We genuinely wanted to get to know each other, and after a few weeks of endless conversations, and spending so much time together, we realized we were friends.”
Despite their different academic paths, Dykstra is an architectural engineering major, Haver is pursuing computer science, Fitzgerald is double majoring in mathematics and economics, and Lao is studying math and environmental science, they find common ground in the small moments.
“Having roommates I’m comfortable which makes it really nice to come home after a long day of school. I can just ramble on about whatever bothered me, and they’ll listen,” said Lao. “They offer their insight, and we communicate with each other. It’s nice to have that right where I live, on campus. It feels like a second home, or sometimes, even a first home.”
Their late-night chats have become a staple of their friendship. Whether it's diving into deep topics or debating the placement of pans in the kitchen, their discussions go on for hours. It’s these late-night exchanges that have helped them not only bond but also grow as individuals.
Of course, not everything’s perfect.
“We’ve had some epic late-night arguments,” Dykstra said. “Like, where should the pans go? Does it go on the stove? Does it go in the cupboard? It’s literally the most important discussion of our day.”
When they’re not debating kitchen storage, the group spends their nights solving the world’s problems, or at least, trying to.
“Our late-night talks are the best part. We get real, we get deep, and sometimes we just get really weird. It’s like a therapy session, but with more snacks.”
“We’re like a little dysfunctional family,” added Fitzgerald. “We argue and fight, but we also have each other’s backs.”
While they may occasionally bicker over trivial matters, the group's connection is unwavering.
“It’s comforting to know that no matter how tough things get, I’ve got these guys to lean on,” said Dykstra, who credits the group with helping him build confidence and strengthen his social life, something he struggled with before coming to UNO.
UNO has become their home, and they’ve made the most of living on campus. The friendships they’ve built have shaped their experience, helping them navigate the stresses of college life, from tough coursework to balancing personal time.
As they look toward the future, the four roommates are ready to take on whatever comes their way, and they’re ready to do it together. Whether it's navigating the complexities of their studies or simply sharing a laugh over a missed meal, they know they’ve found something special here at UNO. They’ve created something built on more than just living in the same dorm. It’s a connection that will last long after they leave Scott Crossing.
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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