Hartwick college

Why Hartwick?
I chose Hartwick for a number of reasons. The people: I remember touring Hartwick, and everyone smiled at me as I walked by. The student population is wonderful and can only be topped by the number of fantastic professors we have. The professors genuinely want you to be successful and that really contributes to your journey here. The atmosphere: I love the feeling on campus. It's academic, yet close-knit and fun at the same time. The view: Come to campus; it's stunning-in the fall with the color change, winter puts a whole new meaning to winter wonderland, it's gorgeous when everything turns green in the spring, and the summer is great, too. Oh, and definitely check out Pine Lake; it's even more beautiful than campus.

What are your classes like?
My classes are small, which I like, because you begin to know your peers in your department very quickly. They are also incredibly hands-on, which is perfect for the Biology major, as well as all other fields. I have gone on a number of field trips in my classes, I've done field surveys, numerous dissections, and I've even made ibuprofen in chemistry (not for consumption, of course).

What does "theory into practice" mean to you?
"Theory into practice" means hands-on learning. At Hartwick, professors enable students to take the textbook theories we all learn and use them, as well as challenge them. Numerous theories and hypotheses are worked through at Hartwick in all majors through student-faculty research and independent study.

How have your professors made an impact on your education?
All of the faculty and staff I have met at Hartwick have made a difference, but I can definitely highlight two. Mary Allen, chair of the Biology Department, is my academic advisor and my senior thesis advisor. She has written many recommendations for me, which have helped me get involved in all areas of the campus, from Admissions to Residential Life, and even off-campus jobs. Academics aside, she has always been there to listen to my thoughts and concerns, whether they be about my future aspirations or my current challenges. Another professor who has had an incredible effect on me and the way I perceive the world is Dr. Stanley Konecky. He teaches philosophy and is one of the most fascinating individuals I have ever met. He has challenged my ways of thinking about thinking (I know that barely makes sense ... take Philosophy of the Mind while you're here). We have a longstanding battle about the level of thought animals are capable of, and that always makes class fun.

What do you do outside the classroom?
I am an RA in Wilder Hall this year, next year I will be the Programming RA in Smith Hall. I am a Blue Key tour guide for Admissions, and I tutor Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Microbiology. I am a riding and competing member of Hartwick College Equestrian team. I also participate in Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a dog raiser. My first GEB dog was Talbot, a male yellow lab who passed his test and is in training to be a guide dog. I am currently raising Lacy, a female black lab. I am a member of Tri-Beta, the national Biology honor society, as well as the Honors Program at Hartwick, and I'm a Dean's List student. My average day begins at 8 a.m. and ends somewhere between 9 and 11 p.m. You can easily find me somewhere between class, the barn, work at one of my three jobs, studying, drinking coffee, in the RA office, walking my dog, at the gym, running, in a meeting, in the lab, with my friends, or my boyfriend. I love having a packed schedule.

How do you describe Hartwick to your friends back home?
I tell them Hartwick is a small, close-knit, liberal arts school.

What comes after Hartwick?
I plan to attend veterinary school and pursue a dual degree with a master's in public health along with my DVM. I hope to do veterinary work for the government and settle into a private practice later in life. If none of that works out, I'll join the Peace Corps and pursue microbiology when I return to the states ... or maybe I'll become a chef.

What would you tell future Hartwick students?
Be prepared and get involved. Hartwick is like an amusement park ride-if you choose to get on, it sucks you into a whirlwind adventure of fun and you're in for the long haul. Do as much as you can, try new things and experiment-that's what college is for! But if you choose not to get on the ride, you're stuck watching everyone else have fun. Don't hang back. The Hartwick journey is what you make of it, and if you dive in, you'll find it's really worth it.