Growing up, Maggie Hagan M’18 spent a lot of time at her aunt’s—who she refers to as “Nan” since she was like a grandma to her–while her parents were at work. Like clockwork, every day at 10 a.m. her Nan, Ann Beckham, would tune the television to CBS. It was her first introduction to “The Price Is Right.”
Hagan was amazed at how Beckham would guess the prices correctly with ease. As she grew older, she became a fan of the show herself and wanted to someday get the chance to be a participant. After 20-plus years of waiting, she finally got the opportunity this past March.
But Hagan was more than just the “next contestant” on the famous TV show–she returned home as a Showcase Showdown champion. It’s an honor she knows would’ve made Beckham, who passed away a couple years ago, incredibly proud.
“The thoughts quickly went to my Nan and how happy she would have been to be there and to see me on stage. I started to get a little teary eyed at the whole experience and the gratitude I had for everyone who helped me,” Hagan said. “Going on the show was for her as much as it was for me.”
When she got a ticket to be in the audience for the show, she knew it didn’t guarantee she would be a participant. But the suspense didn’t last long–she was one of the first four contestants who heard the famous words, “Come on Down, you’re the next contestant on The Price Is Right!” Hagan said being on Bidder’s Row was a “shocking and exhilarating experience” and she was hopeful she’d win the bidding round to be able to go on stage with host Drew Carey to have a chance at the Showcase Showdown.
After five incorrect bids, Hagan was the closest bidder on a Chaise lounger and a Kindle–the final round of the show–to make her way on to the main stage.
“I was so excited to have made it on the stage, but then quickly remembered, ‘Oh right I have to play a game, and I’m on TV,’” Hagan said. “That was when the nerves really set in.”
Once on stage, she played "Any Number," where she won another prize, this time a dishwasher. After that, it was time to spin the wheel and try to land as close to $1 without going over to be one of the two final participants on the Showcase Showdown. Hagan won with two spins that combined for 95 cents.
While you may think she would’ve been stressed, Hagan said she felt at ease during the Showcase Showdown. Her calmness helped her to be the closest bid on a final prize that included a camera set, a pop-up camper and a trip to Argentina and Brazil. The moment feels as surreal now as it did at the time, she said.
“I knew the final round I just had to provide one price, and the results would be what it would be," Hagan added. “Upon hearing I was the closest bid, it all became one big blur!”
Hagan, who grew up in Henderson, Kentucky, currently works as an Operations Analyst at MaddenCo, a software solutions provider for the tire industry. After finishing her undergrad at Murray State University, Hagan attended USI and earned her Master of Business Administration degree in 2018 with a concentration in human resources.
While she said there were a few different reasons she chose to attend USI for her MBA, including the University’s positive reputation, the most important was the flexibility of being able to pursue her MBA with its hybrid offering of both in-person and online classes.
“I had a full-time job while working towards my MBA so the ability to do some courses online while still getting an in-person experience on USI’s campus was very appealing and rewarding,” Hagan said.
Overall, she believes pursuing her MBA has helped her tremendously in her current role. Having a knowledge of business operations is crucial and has allowed her to efficiently help customers with both day-to-day tasks and long-term strategies.
“While a lot of my job surrounds software, my understanding of the business practices and the different aspects that go into running a successful company is invaluable to be able to guide our customers on not only how the system works, but how to use it to better their day-to-day and long-term business strategies,” Hagan said.
Even as an avid “Price Is Right” fan, she admits there wasn’t much free time during her life as an MBA student to catch up on episodes in between studying. But the show has, and always will, hold a special place in her heart.
Just the way her Nan would have wanted.
“I’m so grateful I got to live out one of my Nan’s dreams,” Hagan said. “It really has been a dream come true.”