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A Crash Course in Marketing

When I was an incoming freshman, the only majors that I was interested in were English and Music. Why? Because they were the only two subjects that I had enjoyed in high school that were offered as degree programs. Of course, there were majors like Business and Marketing, Sociology, Communication, and Entrepreneurship, but I was hesitant to declare any of them since I had no experience in any such classes in high school. As a matter of fact, after working in retail, I thought that marketing and sales were synonymous with customer service. In order to clear up these misconceptions and explore where I wanted to go, I signed up for BUSA 204: Principles of Marketing with Professor Laura Havrilla.

Principles of Marketing is the introductory marketing class here at Grove City. It gives a very broad but invaluable overview of what marketing is and what different roles are played in the marketing department of a company. As it turns out, marketing is a term that encompasses everything relating to building and keeping strong customer relationships within a business, so I wasn’t wrong that it can include sales and customer service, but it also includes much, much more. As a matter of fact, marketing involves research, customer insight, ongoing strategy, supply chains, product development, package design, strategic visual placement, pricing and finances, advertising, promotional tools, business management, customer relationships, business relations, public relations, branding, digital marketing, graphic and website design, user experience, online content creation, social media, and more.

It’s easy to say that with such a long list of possibilities within the field of marketing, there must be something for everyone, and I believe that there is. After declaring a business writing concentration myself, I’ve gone on to enroll in courses such as Digital Marketing, Interactive Design and User Experience, Internet Content Marketing, and Public Relations. Digital Marketing has, for the most part, reinforced marketing concepts and strategies that I learned in the introductory class with a special emphasis on using the Internet as your primary form of communication. More narrowly in this online marketing discipline is Interactive Design and User Experience, which is listed as a design course, but it is a semester-long application of branding and design and the role they play with website marketing.

Marketing also very heavily utilizes another one of my favorite academic disciplines: writing. Internet Content Marketing focused on the up-and-coming practice of marketing using online content (surprising, I know). In addition to gaining invaluable skills with one of the greatest website-building tools of all time, WordPress, we were introduced to content marketing best practices, what it means to be an industry thought leader, and why every business must operate as a publisher. Because of content marketing, writing and marketing are more entwined than ever; however, content creation doesn’t end with writing. It is just the beginning of the creative side of marketing: photography, website design, video, user experience, blogging, and customer relations are all a part of it.

Last year, when I took a class called Writing for the Media (which I highly recommend for anyone wanting to get a taste of any kind of media-related career), my professor introduced public relations as a job that incorporates all other writing, marketing, and design skills that we had learned in the class, but would pay way more. Needless to say, public relations immediately had my attention. Fortunately, Public Relations is actually a required class for my major, and I have had the pleasure of taking it with one of my favorite professors, Dr. Jennifer Mobley. Similarly to general marketing, public relations had been another subject that I had heard about again and again, but hadn’t been introduced to. It turns out that PR operates almost identically to marketing, but instead of trying to sell a particular product or service, the PR team works to create and maintain a positive image of the entire company to the public eye, and that’s exactly what our PR class at Grove City College does. Groups of about five students each have teamed up with different organizations to work with them on branding, social media, design, research, event planning, writing, and community outreach. With so many options under the umbrella of marketing, there’s something for everyone, and I would encourage incoming students to try out some of our business and marketing classes if you’re unsure of what career path you want to pursue.

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Father – Daughter Part I

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at one o’clock, Stephanie Schaefer walks into a classroom with her classmates and waits patiently for their professor to begin class. Stephanie has the privilege to learn under the teaching of none other than her own father, Dr. Paul Schaefer. The father/daughter – student/professor relationship is a rare occurrence for Grove City College, and Stephanie does not take it for granted one bit. She is halfway through her sophomore year and this is the second time she is taking a class with her dad. If she has her way, it is not going to be the last. Following in her father’s footsteps, Stephanie studies Biblical and Religious Studies with a minor in Business. Since she has chosen the same major that her dad chairs, she will have a class with him almost every semester. To some that may be too much quality family time, but for Stephanie it’s not weird. She views her dad just like she does any other professor, and does not face any unique challenges or pressures while sitting under his academic authority.

The Schaefer family came to Grove City in 1997 from Iowa, so Stephanie has been establishing her roots here at the school for two decades. She recalls coming to campus prior to being a GCC student to visit her dad and walk around the campus. Now, she is able to hang out in the Religious Studies suite with her dad, Dr. Bibza, and Dr. Byun. Stephanie says that having her dad on campus is “a good way to stay connected inside the school,” and allows her to see things from a different perspective than most students do at Grove City College.

Rather than following the steps of her brother, who attends the Art Institute in Pittsburgh, she decided to follow her dad to Grove City College and has not regretted her decision. She has been able to connect with both students and professors which allows her to have a better appreciation for the community on campus. Not only is she enriched by the GCC community, but because she attends the same school as her dad, she has a first hand appreciation for the hard work and knowledge to which her dad dedicates his time.

The Schaefer family resemblance usually does not go unnoticed by Stephanie’s friends and classmates, and it is not uncommon for her to be questioned if they are related in some way. Stephanie states, “Sometimes people realize it and call me out on it before I even officially meet them, but sometimes people have no idea. I think most of the time people realize it though.”

Having your dad as a professor has many positive aspects, but Stephanie has had her share of challenges when students realize that her dad is their professor for their Biblical Revelation or Western Civilization class. She has been asked by some students to do favors for them. For example, she has had classmates deliberately ask her to try to get her dad to move a quiz or test to a different date, or even ask her to get answers for them. She says some students assume that since she is Dr. Schaefer’s daughter, she has access to the answer keys. Despite the irritations and occasional awkward request, Stephanie wouldn’t change her decision to attend the same school as her dad. Attending Grove City College has not only allowed her to become more connected to the campus, but more importantly, in her relationship with him.

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Inside The Studio: Sculpture

One of the biggest questions I had before applying to Grove City College is what type of art does the school offer? Magic happens in the art studio located in Pew Fine Arts Center. Grove City College offers over 23 courses in the visual arts, from pottery to design to sculpture. I highly recommend everyone take at least one of those classes.  Not only you get to keep the art you created, but you will feel artistic and a sense of fulfillment.

This is the second part of Inside The Studio video series. This video explore one of the projects in the sculpturing class offered in the art studio. I interviewed Bethany and Caitlin about creating their plaster project, and what is the meaning behind creating this sculpture.

 

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Professionalism & Etiquette Night

Every year Grove City College’s Career Services Office hosts its Professionalism & Etiquette Night for GCC students to help develop their professionalism for their future vocations. The limited seating event is always popular with around 100 students attending and more on a waiting list. Running 90 minutes, the program is orchestrated by Career Services Office staff members Courtney Vago, Mandy Sposato and Amy Evans, who discuss dining etiquette, business etiquette and professional dress.

Proff. & Etq.

The night kicks off by an overview of the event and brief prayer by the Student Assistant coordinator, and is followed by a finely prepared dinner by Bon Appetit. The dinner is always a highlight for the students because they are served satisfying dishes and followed by three choices of dessert. Needless to say, the students that attend never leave hungry. While the students are being served their dinner, Vago and Sposato share insight on how to properly eat when you are at a business dinner meeting. Some tips that the students hear are suggestions to wait until everyone has received their food, not ordering the most expensive item on the menu, and so on. Once the speakers concluded the discussion of proper dining etiquette, the focus changed to inform students on how to act in order to stand out to a company.

Transitioning from dining and business interactions, Amy Evans takes the reigns and provides students with numerous examples of business appropriate outfits and clothing suggestions to keep in mind when they go out to shop for their next business suit. Evans lays out skirts, shirts, blouses, trousers and suits for the students to see what  they should be looking for and what they should be “trashing”. What better way to show the students what a successful business outfit looks like than on a model? The event features eight student models  that strut the “catwalk” and show current business styles.  The four female models and four male models are provided with their outfits two stores from the Grove City Outlets. The female models wear clothing from the Ann Taylor Boutique and the male models wear clothing from the Banana Republic. Two high-rated stores that sell great pieces for business wear.

As the last model walks down the catwalk Evans summarizes the presentation for the students. Basically, she explains what they should keep in mind the next time they go shopping, what they should just discard, and specifically, she shares some suggestions for the Education majors that are attending the event. She explains that teachers are bound by certain regulations and requirements in regard to their dress.

Vago, Sposato and Evans come together to wrap up the event with summarizing the entire night and going over the key points the students should take with them. Raffle prizes donated by the Career Services, such as tumblers, portfolios and thank-you business cards are given out to lucky winners. Finally, the floor is opened up to the students for a Q&A time where they can direct their questions to the three women.

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Alumni Stories: An Interview with Emily Owen ’16

Hello! Welcome back to my Alumni Series. I am so excited to introduce to you one of my very best friends – Emily Owen. She is a wonderful woman and made the most of her time at Grove City! She is now abroad in France as an au pair (a live-in nanny). She will be there until the end of the semester. Though I am very excited for her return to the US (I’ve missed her!) I think this has been a wonderful opportunity for her. Enjoy this interview!

Tell me a little bit about you.

Hi, my name is Emily Owen and I am a recent graduate of Grove City College! I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Family Studies and Social Work in December of 2016, a semester early. I am an optimistic person who loves to do anything as long as there are other people involved! Some of my hobbies include reading, dancing, hiking, and discovering new places. And of course, I am always down for talking over coffee or tea. I have two older sisters and a younger brother, and we are all very different from one another. That has been a huge help for me, I think in learning how to get along with all kinds of people.

Where do you work and what is your specific title?

Right now, I am working as an au pair (live-in nanny) in Paris, France. I technically live in a town called Choisy-le-Roi, southeast of Paris, but it is essentially Paris. I’ll be starting a graduate program in the fall at Evangelical Seminary to obtain my master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.

What does being an au pair entail and what do you love about it?

My job entails taking care of two French children, aged 7 and 5. I take them to and from school, I prepare meals for them, we play together, and I teach a little bit of English to the older boy. I love the opportunity to live with another family and see their way of life, especially in their French culture. The kids are sweet and I have loved getting to know them. If I’m being honest, though, my favorite thing has been living in Paris!

What activities were you involved in during your time at Grove City College?

At Grove City College, I was a member of the Tri-Zeta Sorority, the Homecoming Committee President, a Spring Dance Company Senior Head, a Student Ambassador, a dancer/choreographer/house manager for the Orchesis Dance Troupe, a member of Psi Chi, a member of the Sociology, Social Work, and Psychology Association, and I also served with the New Life Ministry.

How do you feel  your time at Grove City College prepared you for your future?

Grove City prepared me extremely well for my professional and academic career during and after school. The internships that I worked at during my years at school were made much easier by the fact that I had so much knowledge on a variety of subjects necessary for the job. As for graduate school, I was well-prepared to apply and be accepted from my education and the other available resources the college provides. In my current job, my education in psychology and development has been helpful in understanding the children I am working with. Overall, I learned how to work with a variety of personalities and working habits and how to look at the world within my Christian perspective.

How available were your professors after class if you needed additional help?

My professors were always wonderful and always available, whether it was via email or even a phone call. For a question about class, a hypothetical question, help with a problem at an internship, writing letters of recommendation, or even just giving time to discuss my career and life, they were always there to aid and guide me. Even now, I am in contact with some of my professors.

What does the school offer that you wished you had taken advantage of while at GCC?

I did take advantage of the Career Services Office, but I wish I had taken MORE advantage of the office and the services that they provide. You sometimes don’t realize until you’re in the real world what kind of skills you needed, and the CSO did a good job of offering information on those things.

Do you feel that GCC has continued to provided majors and programs that are current with the needs of today’s job market?  Do they have programs that provide a “fast track” for certain careers? 

I think GCC has done a good job of continuing to provide majors and programs that keep up with the times. As computer science has evolved, the school has added different minors or classes to keep up with what prospective students are interested in. While there are some degrees that we don’t have or that are not as “specific” as some people may want, the degrees we have do very well. I think with our network of alumni and how hard the school works to connect you to the real world, almost any degree can “fast track” you to a certain career.

Did you feel prepared for graduate school after your time at GCC?

Absolutely. Even though I have not started graduate school yet, I have heard from numerous people who came before me in the Psychology department that grad school was, while I hesitate to say it, easy because of their educational background. We have seminar style classes and requirements that some undergraduate students don’t even see or experience until grad school, so we are a step ahead.

What is your best advice to give an incoming freshmen at GCC?

You only have four years here, or even three and a half, so enjoy every moment! Go to a dance even if you’re not sure you want to go, because you soon won’t have the chance to. Try out a new activity, or take a random class you’re interested in. College is such a unique time to do these things and it flies by. Also, Grove City College is a special place. The people you meet there want to build you and help you grow, from fellow students, to staff, to professors. Don’t miss out on opportunities to meet people and get to know them, because those relationships will be what you take from these four years. Personally, I loved the environment of Grove City. Everyone is friendly and since most of the students are firm believers in the Christian faith, it makes for a closer, safer feeling campus. The people I met during my time at GCC were the most beneficial things, and the time I spent with them is priceless.

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Inside The Studio: Wheel Throwing

One of the biggest questions I had before applying to Grove City College is what type of art does the school offer? Magic happens in the art studio located in Pew Fine Arts Center. Grove City College offers over 23 courses in the visual arts, from pottery to design to sculpture. I highly recommend everyone take at least one of those classes.  Not only you get to keep the art you created, but you will feel artistic and a sense of fulfillment.

Inside The Studio is a short video series that explore the art create in the studio. In this video, I interview Margaret Baker who talks about the process of Wheel Throwing.

 

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How to Make Your Dorm Your Favorite Place on Campus

Let’s be honest, when we think of a college dorm I’m pretty sure most people automatically envision two things: white cinderblock walls and bright fluorescent lights. While that assumption tends to be a rather accurate description of your average college dorm, don’t deceive yourself into thinking that there is no possible way to brighten up the oftentimes dull space (not to mention the fact that the dorms here at Grove City College really have a certain charm about them). Personally, I like to think of a college dorm as a blank canvas, seeing as you have the perfect opportunity to make the most of the small space. Be creative and think outside of the box! Just because you may not have an excessive amount of space doesn’t mean you can’t make your dorm room both comfortable and practical.

This weekend, I was able to interview one of my dear friends, Rachel Riviere, a junior Communications major living here on campus. She graciously let me photograph her room, and answered a few of my questions regarding how she makes the most of her college dorm. Rachel’s dorm is a perfect example of how even the littlest things can make the biggest differences in a room’s atmosphere.

So here are just a few Q&A’s on how Rachel turned her dorm room into one of her favorite places on campus:

  1. What is your signature style and how did you incorporate it into your dorm room?

“I love bright, simple spaces with lots of natural light. My decorating style is minimalistic, yet creative, with white walls, twinkly lights, mixed woods and metals, muted colors and patterns, and as many plants as I can keep alive!”

 

  1. What is one of your favorite pieces in your dorm room and why?

My favorite pieces in my room are my floor lamp and twinkly lights, hands down! They make SUCH a difference. I absolutely love natural light, but when the sun goes down, my lamp comes on! I have not turned the fluorescent lights on once this year. The soft yellow light is just so welcoming and creates such a relaxing atmosphere. The lights are really what transform the space – they’re a game changer! Before I go to bed each night, I turn off my bigger lamp and just leave the twinkly lights on while I read my Bible. It’s become one of my favorite parts of the day!”

  1. Was it hard to decorate your dorm room? If so, how did you overcome the challenge?

“I’m a junior, and every year of dorm decorating has brought different challenges. It can be hard to make a cinderblock room with bright fluorescent lights and wooden furniture feel like a home, but it can be done! I did my best to transform the bare template into a welcoming and relaxing space, and by adding personal touches such as twinkly lights, stacks of my favorite books, and a gallery wall, I was able to create a room that I look forward to returning to each day!” 

  1. How important is it to have a dorm room that you’re comfortable in?

For me, feeling comfortable in my dorm room is absolutely essential. It’s where I spend most of my time, where I work, and where I create, so it’s important for me to have this organized and simple space that inspires me to be productive each day.”

  1. Why did you style your dorm the way you did?

Organization has always been so important to me. If my room is a cluttered mess, I will never get any work done! I’m an artist and have my own small business, and I don’t know what I would do if my room wasn’t set up in a practical and functional manner. I also think it’s important for a dorm room to be welcoming to others, and I want my friends to know that they are always welcome to spend as much time in my room as they want! I want it to be a relaxing space.”

 

  1. Do you have any suggestions for incoming freshman who have no idea what to do with their dorm?

It’s so important to think about the shape of your space when you’re arranging your room for the first time. In a college dorm room, there isn’t much space to begin with, so I always try to keep the furniture around the perimeter of the room. That way, you can take advantage of the open space in the middle, and it will make your room look bigger! My best advice is just to own your room – make it into a space that you love, and others will be drawn to it! Oh, and make sure to pick up a string of twinkly lights – I promise you won’t regret it!”

Overall, having a room that you’re comfortable in is more important than you think. So again, don’t be afraid to explore various options on how to arrange furniture, or what lighting sources to use; there are more options on how to design your dorm than you would assume! Above all else, don’t lose heart! After all, the white walls really aren’t all that bad, and maybe, with a few strands of twinkle lights, a plant or two, and a colorful bedspread that describes you, your dorm will become your favorite place on campus too!

Also, if you are in need of further inspiration, feel free to check out my Pinterest board dedicated to dorm ideas here //

Best of luck! – Kirsten

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Your Passion is Here: 2017 Create Conference

Are you worried that your passion is not one of the majors offered by Grove City College? Is there a hobby that you would like to develop? On March 18, Abby Cunningham and Alexis Marnejon with the Communication and Visual Arts Department, Entrepreneurship Department, and Student Government Association will hold the 2017 Create Conference. This conference will be hosting professionals representing a wide range of creative fields such as photography, graphic design, fine art, and multi-media production. The day will feature main stage talks, workshops, small seminars, and a retail/connection event.

This event is really exciting – one of the guest speaks is from The Neighborhood Film Company. As a huge movie buff with dreams to one day to enter the film industry, this is a great opportunity for me to learn and connect.

With conference and events like this, I am sure that my passion will only grow and develop more. Having workshops and making a connection creates a door for my career path.

I have created a promo video for this coming event. Check it out!

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Alumni Stories: An Interview with David Lyon of McKamish

Choosing a college can be tough, but choosing a subject to study can be just as difficult. My hope with my blog series on Alumni is to give insight about what they chose to study and how this affected the rest of their lives. Today’s post is about my dad, David Lyon. He studied Mechanical Engineering in college, and has translated his studies and time at Grove City College into a successful and fulfilling life. Please enjoy the following insight and advice from David Lyon!

David LyonTell me a little bit about you, your hobbies, your family… ect?

I am married and have two children.  My daughter is a senior in college and my son is a senior in High School.  My wife is a stay at home mom.  I like to watch sports, play golf, spend time with my family.

Where do you work and what is your specific title?

I work at a company called McKamish. My Title is VP of Commercial Construction.

What does your current job entail and what do you love about it?

I am responsible for a department within McKamish called the Commercial Construction Group. I have       approximately 25 people who report to me. I am responsible for the operations and financials of the department.  I love the people I work with and also the satisfaction of seeing a project completed with a satisfied customer.

What club(s) were you involved in?

ADEL Fraternity

How do you feel GCC prepared you for and benefited your future career?

I received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. It was a very difficult major and much was expected. Also, my peers were extremely intelligent and competitive. By working and studying with my peers I feel that I was well prepared for the challenges of real world experiences and ability to persevere.

How available are the professors after class time if you need additional help?

The Engineering professors were always available to help.

What does the school offer that you wished you had taken advantage of while at GCC?

Engineering did not allow much free time. There were various clubs and associations that I wish I could have had the time to join.

After graduation, were there any classes you wish you had taken to help with your degree? 

I think public speaking should be taught to all students. I don’t remember if it was offered but in hindsight I would have loved to take a course in public speaking.

If you could change something about your college experience, what would it be?

Learn to study and be more disciplined the first couple years. Also, as stated above I wish I had more time to participate in other clubs/associations. There are many great ministry, charity, and associations related to any major that I would have loved to have taken advantage of.

Did you feel Grove City College made sure you were academically prepared for graduate school?

I did not go to graduate school, but feel that I was easily prepared if I wanted to attend.

What is your best advice to give an incoming freshmen at GCC? What did you enjoy the most and find most beneficial at GCC?

Keep up with all course work as you go. Find a study group in your major. Take advantage of clubs, associations, guest speakers to enhance your college experience. Meet people and go to career fairs to get leads on internships and eventually a full time career position.

Thanks so much, David! First, great news, we now offer a public speaking class! Second, check out this list of all of Grove City College’s ministry groups. David said he would have loved to be involved in some of these! Take a quick look and plan to check a couple out when you arrive at Grove City College!

 

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5 Reasons Why Entrepreneurship is the Best Major on Campus

Okay, I am a little biased as a sophomore Entrepreneurship major (or ENTR for short), but in my humble opinion the ENTR program is honestly the best major on campus. Sorry, I will try to impartial – let’s reword the title to something more specific, shall we? “5 Reasons Why Entrepreneurship is the Best Major on Campus for Me or Any Student Interested in Innovation, Chicken Wings, and Serving God.”

  1. Wing Nights

There is this amazing thing that happens every few weeks imaginatively called, “Wing Nights.” These events are rare and they involve a trip to a restaurant in the next town over, Rachel’s Roadhouse. Professor Sweet (head of the department) will order almost 200 wings for the students lucky enough to be there and the check is covered by the department.

It pains me to admit for every Wing Night that has happened since my arrival on campus I have been to – I have yet to miss one. These dinners are so much fun because it is a chance to get away from campus and enjoy endless, delicious wings. Every time there is a new freshmen class of ENTRs we take them out on a Wing Night so they can get to know one another right after classes begin. For my class, this was crucial to our relationship as a group. We were able to talk about our lives and our professors believe now we are the tightest knit group to ever be in the department. We are a happy little family – but more on that later.

  1. Kingdom-minded EntrepreneurshipUntitled3

As part of a Christian college, it is a no-brainer that God has to be integrated somewhere in the ENTR studies. For me, this is my favorite part of being an ENTR student. The main question, “How can we use our talents as entrepreneurs to spread the Word of God?” Just as an example, there is an entire course dedicated to social entrepreneurship. Students spend the whole semester reading books about tactics used in foreign areas that work spectacularly or completely fail. I am in the next level up of that class and I call it a “lab for ENTRs” because not only are we learning about the importance of being a Christian entrepreneur, but also studying different case studies of service-oriented businesses as well as developing one of our own in class.

  1. Hands-on experience

Everything about the studies as an ENTR is about trial and error. The projects are not hypothetical, they are 100% real and can be taken out into the real world. Professor English has several products displayed in her office that started out as just ideas in her class. In one of her evening classes required as part of the major, ENTRs (and others) Untitledgather into teams and develop an entire business for the duration of the 14 weeks. This involves a lot of customer research so the team members have to set up interviews with experts or potential customers and pivot their idea as they talk to more people. Fun fact: this process is called, “getting out of the building.”

Another example is Professor English’s elective course, “Startup Founder’s Dilemmas” which dives into all the pitfalls that can come upon an entrepreneur in the real world. On top of classes, alumni and business professionals come for guest lectures regularly to share their experiences “out there.” One week we had the current CEO of Panera as a guest speaker!

  1. Money, money, money16730658_10155018232561182_5358174050131980349_n

Don’t get too excited, it is not free money. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (a brainchild of the ENTR department) sponsors SO MANY competitions throughout the year that offer cash prizes. Outside of the campus, there are also multiple competitions Grove City College attends and wipes the floor with. A few on campus competitions are the Elevator Pitch, Shark Tank, Venture Lab, Business Plan Competition, and the Makers’ Design Competition.

  1. Ohana means Family

I find it hard to express in words the kind of bond we have as a department. When I came in as a freshman, there were 14 people total in my class and only four of them were girls. Due to our size, it is pretty easy to get to know the people in the same classes on a personal level. We do so many projects throughout our aenhanced-buzz-wide-28408-1424014334-23cademic careers that by the time the first semester is over we each know each other’s skillsets – we do not even need to ask anymore. Beyond the classwork, we enjoy each other’s company because we are all super awesome people. Even with the professors they go above and beyond to know who we are and encourage the innovation within us.

 

 

To better explain the ENTR department check out this video I made for Senior Crimson Day last fall. It shows you everything you need to know about the wonderful ENTRs.