JoJo Caruthers
What will you miss most about McDaniel after you graduate?
I will miss the tight-knit community of McDaniel the most after I graduate. It’s so nice to have so many friends within such a small area.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Take advantage of everything. Go to as many free movies, lectures, art exhibits, parties, club meetings, whatever as possible. Four years go by so quicky, so you should take part in these awesome activites while you can!
What are your plans after graduation?
I hope to get into magazine work, both editing and writing. I’m also open to the idea of working in a bakery, getting my yoga instructing certification, or becoming the female Anthony Bourdain.
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
My favorite part of the Honors Program was the classes that were offered specifically for Honors Students. I loved the atmosphere and discussion that happened in those classrooms.
What groups were you most active in on campus?
I was most active in Alpha Phi Omega. It’s the service fraternity on campus, and it really gave me a sense of accomplishment and as if the vounteerism I was involved in really did benefit the world, as cheesy as that sounds.
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
My favorite class here at McDaniel was American Literature III, with Dr. Mary. We read some fantastic texts and got into really interesting discussions. Plus, it was with Dr. Mary. You can’t lose with her teaching you.
Who was your favorite professor?
Dr. Mary Bendel-Simso. She’s such a brilliant professor, but also a really good advisor and friend. I would go to her for anything in a heartbeat.
Sarah Miller
What will you miss most about McDaniel after you graduate?
I think the things I will miss most about McDaniel are somewhat intangible; while I have loved many of the classes I have taken, or people that I have met, the sense of community is what I will take away.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Being a student here is not always easy. I think if you are thinking about coming to McDaniel. you need to be okay with small classes, a small community, and making an effort — to stand out, get involved, and meet people. You have to be willing to be proactive and seek out opportunities for yourself if they do not present themselves to you. And for the love of all things holy, become familiar with the catalog! I have planned many academic lives off-the-books solely because I know how to work catalogs and the different programs of study. Bonus? It means I’m really good at encouraging people to design their own major!
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to study Rhetoric and work on my Master’s at Carnegie Mellon University. I am a first-generation college student, so for me, this is kind-of a big deal to get into one of the “New Ivies.” I really want to work in higher-education one day. As much as I will love teaching, I think I really just want to do academic advising. (Mostly kidding!)
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
I really have gained a lot through my experiences as liaison to the program this year. Getting the inside scoop on how different decisions get made, or all of the administrative details that go into things, has really given me a ‘head’s up’ on what I can expect in my new career path. Working with the Exec Board has really made me feel more invested in the future of the Honors Program, as has participating in Honors Colloquium. It has been really fun to have the chance to get to know my fellow seniors a little better.
What groups were you most active in on campus?
I have been most active in Honors Club and Allies, particularly in the last year. I am Treasurer this year, which is rewarding though somewhat stressful! I have been in the Vagina Monologues every year since freshman year, though I will say this past year was my best experience yet. It has been very bittersweet to have met so many great people this year!
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
I think that my favorite pair of classes were Great Works I & II as part of my first-year Honors sequence. Though Dr. Kiene is not here anymore, I think those classes really helped inspire me to be an English major (on top of the Psychology major that I declared right away). For me, it was a great way to enter into college.
Who was your favorite professor?
I don’t know that I can really pick just one professor, as I am a double-major/double-minor. But I can say that the following professors have helped me out a lot: Kate Dobson, Rebecca Carpenter, Corey Wronski-Mayersak, Holly Chalk, Jack Arnal, Stephanie Madsen, Donna Evergates, Jeremy Kiene. But librarians are also great pals! Much love to Rhonda Stricklett for knowing how to find all the books I need.
Meagan Pilar
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Don’t take school too seriously; it goes by quickly, so have as much fun as you can. Stay up late talking with friends instead of studying. Drive to WaWa instead of writing a paper. Procrastinate when necessary if it means creating memories. Ten years down the road, you’ll look back fondly on the fun times- not the hard work you put into school.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’ll be moving to Kentucky with my boyfriend.
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
Learning that there are far nerdy-er people than I out there…
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
Exercise Physiology- it was the class the only class that I needed to study for in order to do well.
Who was your favorite professor?
Dr. McCole… or Dr. Upton. I never actually had Upton as a professor, but I loved him anyway.
Priyanka Sengupta
What will you miss most about McDaniel after you graduate?
The quaint and cozy atmosphere.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Try to talk to as many people as possible and don’t rule anyone out when trying to make friends. Often it’s the people you don’t expect to latch on to that become your lifelong friends.
What are your plans after graduation?
A job that’s English related, hopefully some sort of publishing or editing. Also, getting married next May.
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
My favorite part was the people in it with similar interests who were always easy to have a discussion with whether it was an academic one or not. Also, Dr. Madsen and Dr. Raley who seemed to really care about us and making our opinions heard.
What groups were you most active in on campus?
Not many but I felt like the English department was my second home with the amount of time I spent there, how well I knew the professors, and working at the writing center.
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
Either my last honors course, Growing up in America, or my FYS, Horror in Fiction and Film.
Who was your favorite professor?
Dr. Mary Bendel-Simso
Rhaelynn Givens
What will you miss most about McDaniel after you graduate?
I don’t have time to think about what I’ll miss yet.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Take a year off before you come here! Communication is one skill college can teach you. Talk in class. The more you do it, the better you’ll be.
What are your plans after graduation?
Become a coffee barista in Washington, take a well-deserved break, then move to California where I’ll hopefully be working for the California State Senate. If that doesn’t pan out, I am moving to France to ride horses.
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
Talking about Honors.
What groups were you most active in on campus?
Honors
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
Logic, Intellectual History of the 60s, Great Works II, Latin I and II.
Who was your favorite professor?
They know who they are.
Seth Marple
What will you miss most about McDaniel after you graduate?
Being around my friends everyday.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Take a chance.
What are your plans after graduation?
I start a job immediately upon graduation and the successful processing of my security clearance. I am also engaged and plan to get married next year.
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
Trips to D.C. and Annapolis.
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
My computer science senior seminar.
Who was your favorite professor?
I enjoyed too many different teaching styles to pick.
Marisa Hrbal
What will you miss most about McDaniel after you graduate?
I think I will miss that silly old bell; however annoying it might have been when I didn’t want to hear it, whenever I’m away I remark about not hearing it. But on a more serious note, I will miss the professors, mentors and staff that have been so helpful, kind and friendly. The people who work for and at McDaniel are truly invested in their students, their colleagues and those they serve. The cleaning staff is always so jovial and I have to hand it to the guys who pick through the garbage, these people deal with a lot of sh*t they shouldn’t have too and all to make our school a nicer place, a better institution and one we feel more comfortable and pleased with. I will also of course miss my job, working with The Shepherd’s Staff and all the opportunities that have allowed me to have and to learn, grow and experience. I hope that Dance Company will continue to grow and flourish and that all my underclass friends will continue to make their impact on McDaniel and the world.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Get involved; whether it be the Puppy Club, Black Student Union, Dance Company, a service fraternity, Environmental Action Club, Film Club, a sports team, a theater production, whatever it is that you love and want to invest your time in because you will be here for four years and getting to know people and making connections is critical to your well-being and satisfaction. If McDaniel doesn’t have a club you’re interested in, make one! Find people, find activities and find outlets that keep you passionate and intrigued. Be interested and be interesting. Go to the lectures, learn something new and make a future connection; you never know what opportunities you could or will have if you don’t take leaps of faith and get yourself out there!
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to do something that truly makes a difference; I know that sounds cliché, but I really have a passion for social justice issues, specifically food justice. I want the food system to change and I want to see people embracing local food movements, farmers’ markets and fair trade products. I want to see people getting back to a community based ethic and being friendlier, spending more time less worried about money, fame and fortune. “I may be a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” I would love to work on an Organic Farm in some Latin American country, or work with a school to promote farm to fork programs, possibly go back to school eventually and study urban agriculture or sustainability; basically anything along those lines. As of right now I’m not sure where certain opportunities will lead me, but I’m taking each one and running with it. I want to see the world and travel more, all the while learning more about diverse cultures and helping people, animals and the earth.
What was your favorite part of the Honors Program?
I liked the options for classes to take; some of them were really interesting and being able to have first pick was an added bonus. I didn’t live in Honors Housing, but I’m sure that would have been nice because it would have lessened the stress of housing! I also really like the advisers and their continued support and encouragement.
What groups were you most active in on campus?
I would like to think I was most active in Dance Company, Environmental Action Club, Advocacy Team and the Peer Mentor program. I would have loved to join other groups and clubs, but Dance Company always seemed to meet during club meetings and I couldn’t give that up!
What was your favorite class here at McDaniel?
I don’t know if I can point to a favorite class because I usually enjoyed most of them equally. Any of my Philosophy course, my FYS in particular- Close Encounters: Merging Worlds is the course that converted me to Philosophy, but Josh Baron’s “Issues of Social Justice” is great for anyone who wants to open their eyes to the world, not to mention literature courses like “Growing Up in America,” or “Advanced Composition” or any Environmental Policy course. I loved my Latin American Culture Class and don’t know where I would be without “Changing the World: Philosophical Theory and Policy Practice.” I highly recommend that course!
Who was your favorite professor?
Vera Jakoby, Josh Baron, DJR, Dr. Hardy, Dr. Angeles Donoso Macaya…do I have to choose one?
