Class Year

2012

Hometown

New Providence, Pennsylvania

Major

Philosophy  

Activities

Soccer, hiking, Reformed University Fellowship, Campus Activities Board, Neal Conference Committee, Outdoor Club, Founders Council, music (guitar), and maybe some more soccer.

Favorite place on campus

It might seem rather nerdy to say this, but my favorite place on campus is the library.  The Anna E. Kresge Memorial Library is a hub for learning as students utilize the many quality resources available (computers, John Holberg, Writing Center, etc.).  These are not my reasons for liking the library (though they are quite helpful).  The library is my favorite place on campus because I find myself being distracted by good conversations and hilarious jokes with the friends I sit and study with.  Yes, I do study there, but more importantly I build lasting memories and good friendships there.  Seriously, ask me for some good library stories--I have them.   

Why did you choose Covenant?

As I visited Covenant during my senior year of high school, I was struck by a few things that made it clear that Covenant was where God wanted me.  As I stayed on First Belz in Founders I realized that all the talk about Covenant's great community was true.  I heard countless testimonies from students attesting to that fact and I also saw it with my own eyes.  By the time I visited the third time, I had people remembering my name, conversations we had, and asking how I was doing.  I noticed that at Covenant there was an importance placed on the arts (music, poetry, film, etc.)  It was great because the students pursued these areas in addition to their other academic pursuits. 

How is Covenant unique?

Covenant is unique because it is serious about its students engaging the culture around them with a biblical worldview--taking the "In all things Christ preeminent" seriously.  I appreciate that my school is willing to host journalists from the New Yorker to discuss politics, beliefs, and even pop music.  Not only does Covenant afford its students opportunities to engage with the broader culture, but it seeks to equip the students for doing so.

What has been your favorite experience at Covenant?

"Around Founders" 2008.  My hall, Blackwatch, had discussed possible ideas for Founders' hallway decorating/theme contest.  The only guidelines were that it had to be board game related.  Most halls spent weeks in preparation for the event, whereas my hall was still working on an idea four hours until it began.  We finally decided on designing our hall as a real-life interpretation of Hungry Hungry Hippos.  We gathered trees from the forest, blankets from our rooms, cardboard, and paint from the store.  Some of us painted ourselves with white paint and dressed as tribesmen, symbolizing the white ball that is being eaten by the hippos, and some of us pretended to be hippos.  With very little preparation, we offered a top-notch experience to all.  It was loads of fun.

What is your favorite class?

The History of Western Philosophy: Classical to Renaissance with Dr. Bill Davis.  Naturally, as a philosophy major, it would make sense that my favorite class was a philosophy class.  We critically analyzed philosophical writings and discussed what the Christian's proper response to their claims should be.  Davis had high expectations that forced us to not only work quite hard individually but also as a community.  One of my favorite memories is stuffing nearly 20 of us into a tiny library group room and studying and discussing the material together.

What person at Covenant has had the greatest impact on you?

Will Kendall.  Will was the R.A. on my hall during my freshman year and he had a profound impact on my life--one that I'm sure he doesn't even realize.  We would meet once a week for breakfast or lunch and talk about life's joys and struggles.  The greatest thing was that it wasn't a one-sided conversation with me spilling all of my thoughts.  We shared and encouraged one another equally.  I learned so much from him about my relationship with God and with others.  Plus, he introduced me to some good music that I might have not otherwise discovered.

What's your favorite part of the day at Covenant?

Nighttime.  Because I enjoy spontaneity, I feel that the night offers the most eclectic opportunities.  To name a few: late night Taco Bell, movies in the dorm, midnight caving expeditions, Around Founders, dances, concerts, and a whole host of other events--both the random and the planned. 

What are your post-graduation plans?

Only God knows, but because He's in charge, I know it's going to be good.

How is Covenant equipping you for the future?
The unified nature of academia at Covenant is preparing me to engage the world around me holistically rather than fragmented.  Just as my professors require me to study the material with the critical eye of Scripture at school, so will I be prepared to view my job, family, and life within the broader picture of God's kingdom--wherever He might call me.