Do you feel like you made any concessions to come to a school that is reasonably priced?
I definitely do not feel that I made any concessions to come to Grove City College. I love that my alma mater is affordable and still offers a high quality education and an amazing campus life. I feel that I was able to learn and grow at Grove City College just as well or better than at another private school, where I would have incurred more debt. Grove City College has so much to offer students, and the reasonable tuition was one of the main reasons that I decided to attend the College.
How was your faith strengthened and perhaps even challenged during your time here?
Growing up, I had always adhered to the doctrines my family and church believed and did not really encounter opposing views within Christianity. Coming to Grove City College and experiencing so many different denominations and beliefs was very enriching to my faith. I was constantly challenged to reexamine what I believed and was able to develop a faith of my own throughout my time at Grove City College. The College has a strong community of believers who constantly push each other to grow and learn through academics, athletics, and other activities. I really believe that my faith was strengthened through the challenges I went through while at Grove City College.
How would you describe the level of academics you experienced?
The academics at Grove City College are very challenging. I studied a lot during college but found that hard work and time management paid off. Succeeding here is very doable as long as you are willing to put the time and effort into it. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree at another school in Pennsylvania and found that I was better prepared than my peers for the rigors of an advanced degree. I believe that my professors at Grove City College were a large part of that preparedness as they constantly challenged me to be my best. They truly care about the students but also ensure that they are reaching their full potential.
What is the relationship like between the students and the professors?
I found that all of my professors at Grove City College were very invested in the students. They were always willing to chat in office hours outside of class and offer help when it was needed. The professors were very kind and understanding but also wanted to push students to be their best. I found that my relationships with my professors challenged me to be a better student and also gave me important contacts to take with me into the professional world.
What is your favorite aspect of Grove City College?
My favorite aspect of Grove City College was the tight-knit community. I loved going to a small college and recognizing faces everywhere I went on campus. I also really valued having a strong Christian community, which I believe fostered an environment of spiritual growth and support. I think that the administration, staff, faculty, and students were all a part of this community, and the relationships I saw and experienced between these groups make the College feel personal and welcoming. Grove City College’s community of warm and compassionate people also help facilitate deep and lasting friendships. I made life-long friends at Grove City College that were central to my experience in college and continue to impact my life today.
What are some of the things you did during your free time either on or off campus?
I was involved with the homecoming committee, Parents Weekend committee, and Crimson and White Society while at Grove City College and worked in the College archives. My favorite part of Grove City College was working in the archive. Before coming to college, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my history degree. I went to a public history talk given by the college archivist my sophomore year and was hooked. I started volunteering in the archive and worked there until I graduated. This experience guided me to the career path I am on today and gave me an invaluable mentor to learn from during my time at Grove City College and beyond. I think that these close, personal working relationships make Grove City College unique and also greatly benefit students in gaining skills to utilize in their future careers.
Tell us a little bit about the internship you completed while here.
I interned at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. I worked in the collections department, which deals primarily with the preservation and storage of artwork and artifacts. My internship was a very rewarding and enriching experience. I was able to see the inner workings of a museum as well as receive valuable experience in handling artifacts and a wide variety of related skills.
At the museum I was able to make custom storage boxes and mounts for objects such as pieces of pottery, jewelry and Native American outfits. I also assisted in uninstalling the "Gold! Riches and Ruins" exhibit and was able to handle and pack valuable gold pieces along with other artifacts from the Gold Rush. My other daily duties consisted of photographing objects, researching newly acquired objects, and inventorying a donated collection. Toward the end of the summer, I began to help our registrar with an annual art auction that occurs every fall, assisting her in unpacking, inventorying, and storing each painting or sculpture.