As my time as an undergraduate student at Otterbein University wraps up, I thought it would be nice to reflect on my time here. I have taken classes, learned from professors, and met other students that have had a direct impact on my experience at Otterbein – and this experience has been nothing if not rewarding.
My freshman year will always be my favorite year of college. I lived with my best friend Alessandra and met some really amazing friends. I learned that procrastination is only fun when you don’t have to do it alone. Al, thank you for all of our late nights at the library.
Some of the classes I took really shaped my interests, as well. I took a horror film class with Dr. Frick that led me to add a film minor and become a person who actually enjoys horror films. The dystopian literature class I took with Dr. Burns showed me how terrifying the world is and how close we are to living in a world like the world of Gilead. If you know, you know.
I took some of my favorite English classes during my sophomore year at Otterbein. I owe my love of Gertrude Stein, Sylvia Plath and the tattoo on my ankle to Tammy Birk and her experimental women’s literature class. Shannon Lakanen taught me that I cannot be a writer if I don’t actually write. Her class on the personal essay exposed me to some of the best writing I have ever seen from other students and pulled writing out of me that I am still very proud of. Suzanne Ashworth’s class on Alfred Hitchcock, David Fincher and Christopher Nolan exposed me to some of my favorite films. This class also taught me that there is no shade of yellow more beautiful than a Fincher shade of yellow.
My junior year and the half of my senior year that I have already completed are the years that have prepared me the most for life after graduation. I have taken classes and had opportunities that have prepared me for the career path I want to follow. Junior year, I became a co-managing editor and page designer for the student literary magazine on campus called Quiz & Quill. Running this magazine with Kaitlyn Bader has been such a challenging and rewarding experience that I am incredibly grateful for. This organization has allowed me to meet some of the kindest and smartest students that Otterbein has to offer.
Junior year I took Dr. Warren’s classes on copy editing and reporting. Taking these classes led to me landing the job of promotions manager for T&C Media. Working alongside the Editor-in-Chief, Katie Frame, has been such a highlight of my time at Otterbein. I have gotten so much editing and writing experience from both of these leadership positions. Kaitlyn, thank you for meeting me at Java and impulsively deciding to run QQ with me. Katie and Derek Parham, thank you for convincing me that I was qualified enough to run the social media for T&C.
Otterbein was always my first choice when looking at colleges. I knew that I wanted to be in the English program. I had no clue I would take on the leadership roles I did, but I am so thankful for the people who pushed me in those directions. My last two years of college have been somewhat unconventional, but I am proud and thankful nonetheless.
Due to this being a Senior Goodbye Column, it was not edited or touched by anyone but the reporter.
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