Author: Stephanie Millage

I am a senior Business Management major who enjoys crochet, traveling, and all things historical.
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Top 10 Perks of Attending a Small College

A view of a football game.

Small or large college? Which one to choose? It is a question I asked myself, and a choice I had to make before I decided on attending Grove City College. I had both options available to me. My sister chose the large state school, and I had visited her many times. I was able to see her experiences and make the best decision for myself. I had planned on studying Business Management, and that is a degree that I could obtain at either a small or large institution. I knew I wanted a small school, mostly because I am from a small town in the country. My graduating class was around 70 students. I knew there would be both positives and negatives from choosing a smaller school, but I never realized many of these perks until I actually started school here. While some may think a small school is boring and there are no perks, I would have to argue otherwise. Here are my top 10 reasons:

#1 It is easier to meet people – Grove City College places freshmen together in dorms, and there are many hall activities. I got to know the girls on my freshmen hall and make some very close relationships. Meeting people through various campus organizations and activities is also a great way to get involved on campus.

#2 A walk around campus means you will see lots of people you know – When classes are released, chances are you are going to see some people you know. Even if it is not on a first-name basis, you will recognize people from your classes, or other campus activities you are involved in.

#3 You are not just a number – When I walked around a large state school’s campus of over 50,000 students, I felt like I was just a drop of water in the bucket of people. Being on a small campus makes me feel as though I am not just a number, but an individual.

#4 You get good seats at sporting events – Granted, we are not a Division I school, we are Division III, but getting front row seats at the volleyball or basketball games sure is fun. Plus, sporting events are free!

#5 You can actually walk to class – No need to have a bike here at Grove City College. It takes me five minutes to walk to class in the morning. Every building is within a reasonable walking distance and its easy to navigate the campus.

#6 Professors know you personally – I have had the same professors for multiple classes and they all know my name. Many professors take the time to personally get to know their students. It makes me feel important and that they actually value having me there as a student.

#7 No Outrageous Lines – We might think a line of 10 people at the panini press in the cafeteria is long, but going to a state school’s cafeteria is much busier and lines are much longer.

#8 Classes are Smaller – The average class size at Grove City College is 25 students. There are no lecture halls filled with hundreds of students.

#9 More Feedback on Assignments – Professors have less students, and are therefore able to provide more comments and suggestions and papers and homework assignments. Therefore, you get more out of college!

#10 You Can Become More Involved on Campus – Some might debate that large schools would have more campus activities, but I would argue that going to a smaller school means you can participate in more events. I am able to work on the chapel staff, do cheerleading, work as a tour guide, and go to various Bible studies while still having the time to do schoolwork.

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Mobile Robots Course

 

The current robot.

As a requirement of the Robotics Minor, a Mobile Robots class (ROBO 302) will be offered for the first time this spring. This three-credit class includes one lab per week. According to the Registrar, the class is “an introduction to the basic principles of mobile robots, including mechanical, sensory, and cognitive systems necessary for successful operation. Topics will include hardware, locomotion, sensors, control schemes, localization, and navigation.”

A robot from a past microprocessors course about 4 years ago.

Dr. Mohr, professor of Electrical Engineering, spoke with me about what the class will look like. “We will look at how mobile robots get around, focusing mostly on wheeled robots…what kind of sensors they use to find out what their environment is like, and lastly, to map their environment and use their sensors to figure out where they are in their environment at all times.”

There will also be hands-on experience with a robot throughout the semester. There are 20 kits to build autonomous robots, and teams of two or three will work together to assemble the robot. The robots are not remote-controlled, students will learn to program the robot to run on its own. Dr. Mohr showed me an example of a robot that he has worked on and off for the past year and a half assembling. The main brain of the robot is a single board computer, called a myRio, which creates a wireless network to either a phone or laptop. The readings from the robot will then be presented on the laptop in a “software called LabVIEW which is like graphic programming, which is pretty easy to pick up. Since we have people from different programming backgrounds, that’s nice.” The entire robot is run off a lithium ion battery, the same type found in cell phones.

Another past-generation robot used about 8 years ago. The lithium battery was overcharged and then caught on fire.

The robots utilize two motor-driven wheels. Each motor has an optical encoder sensor, where pulses can be counted to tell how far the wheels have traveled. The Inertial Measurement Unit, or IMU, contains three sensors. The magnetometer measures the earth’s magnetic field, essentially working as an electronic compass.  The accelerometer tells when something is moving, and the gyroscope identifies rotation. There is a GPS chip which tells the time as well as the latitude and longitude. “So, if you go around campus, you’ll be able to tell within a few meters, based on GPS where you are. So, we are going to be doing some things outside with this robot.” The lidar uses a laser light to measure the time it takes for light to bounce off the nearest object, identifying the range, which is helpful in mapping out a room. Dr. Mohr says there are plans to add cameras to the robots, but not this year. The focus this year is to get up and running with the course.

What should students expect to learn from this class? How robots “sense their environment, map their environment, and figure out the answer to the question “Where am I?” and then plan missions and carry them out.”

The interface of the LabVIEW software connected to the robot.

 

 

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Dr. Christman’s Research on Antennas

A vertical monopole antenna used for mobile ham radio applications. This is what is used on the roof of cars.

Dr. Christman, professor of Electrical Engineering at Grove City College, sat down and spoke with me about his research on antennas. Dr. Christman holds a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio University. Dr. Christman said that his interest in antennas began when his grandparents gave him an old shortwave radio that he could listen to broadcasts on. His doctoral dissertation tested a computer program that simulates antenna performance.

Dr. Christman is a ham radio operator, and has been licensed since 1974. Amateur radio operators, also called “hams,” are private citizens who have obtained a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate on certain bands of radio frequencies. Being a ham operator is a popular hobby, and Dr. Christman says that his main interest is “talking to people in foreign countries.” The one country Dr. Christman hasn’t been able to communicate with is North Korea, because of various regulations.

He showed me a recent article in the Greenville Record Argus newspaper, which highlighted the Mercer County Amateur Radio Club. According to the article, amateur radio is the hobby of the future. There are currently 66 members in the club, and it has been growing steadily. Grove City College also has an Amateur Radio Club which, according to the registrar, “exists to encourage and facilitate amateur (“ham”) radio at The College. Special instruction is offered every Fall semester so that those members who are unlicensed may study and prepare to take the Technician-Class Examination.”

Dr. Christman also works with AM broadcast antennas. He enjoys “simulating and evaluating the performance of antennas without building anything at all.” His nephew is a career officer in the Army, and on one occasion Dr. Christman was able to advise one of his nephew’s men on how to fix the antenna of the Iraqi Federal Police, so they could communicate with their vehicles in the field. Engineering students taking Electromagnetic Energy Transmission (ELEE 404) will have the opportunity to learn more about antennas.

Dr. Christman has written a number of articles related to antennas which have been published in various ham-radio magazines and in IEEE technical journals. Recently, he and a friend won 1st place in the 2017 QST Antenna Design Competition (80 – 10 meter division).

It is amazing to have such a knowledgeable and passionate professor on campus!

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Naomi Keicher- Experience at BEST Robotics Competition

The BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) competition presented by Elliott Group was hosted by Grove City College on October 13-14.  The BEST competition is a “middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields” (bestinc.org). The teams worked for the past six weeks to create a functioning robotic machine that can complete certain tasks in three minutes. This year, 22 teams and approximately 400 students competed at the Arena in the Physical Learning Center at Grove City College.

Cornerstone Christian Preparatory Academy at the competition.

 

Naomi Keicher, a freshman International Business Major, discusses her experience at the BEST competition.

Coming from Cornerstone Christian Prep, had you heard about Grove City before?

Yes, Grove City was very commonly discussed at Cornerstone. Our founder, principal, and teacher, Brandon McCall, graduated from Grove City and often regaled stories of his time here and always spoke positively of the college and its faculty.

Primarily, the college was spoken of in reference to its being the location of the local hub for BEST Robotics.

What made you decide to participate in the BEST robotics challenge?

Cornerstone was a very small school when I joined in eighth grade. A few sports were available and I did play soccer, but the whole school buzzed constantly with talk of the BEST Robotics Competition. The majority of the school was involved to some extent. I was unable to attend kickoff that year, but my brother, Bobby, stayed after school most days to help the team. I simply started staying too. It was one of the best decisions I made in my high school career and one of the most impactful.

What did you enjoy most about the competition?

Where do I begin? I was on the build team for the first two and a half years of my participation and the marketing team for the second two and a half. During these times, I was able to be participate in designing the robot, lead a team of builders, and drive the robot in the competition, locally and regionally. During the second part of my time with BEST, I worked on the engineering notebook, helped in the design and building of the booth, presented for the formal marketing presentation, and acted as Head of Marketing. I enjoyed each challenge as much as possible. I learned how to take direction, lead, cooperate with others, delegate, manage time, prioritize, negotiate, be professional, manage stress, and laugh at myself. I don’t think the BEST Robotics experience can fully be conveyed in simple words. They say BEST is a free competition because they want everyone to be able to participate, but I say it’s free because it would be impossible to assign a monetary value to the priceless education and experience gained from participating.

It’s impossible to pick a favorite moment. So I would say the part I enjoyed most was the opportunity to watch myself and my friends develop into more experienced people and grow closer together.

Did participating in the competition help you make a decision on whether or not to attend Grove City College?

Absolutely! Familiarity with the campus endeared me to it, but the way the college presented itself through hosting the competition made an impression on me. The emphasis placed on opening in prayer is not something that every school would be comfortable with, especially in regard to a secular competition. I appreciated their resolution to continue with it, regardless of status quo. In addition to this, I developed a respect for the college that was interested in hosting a competition that was so well rounded. BEST isn’t just for engineering students – it’s a holistic approach that includes everything from strategic planning to manufacturing to marketing – an entire business model. An institution that sees value in such a program is an institution I wanted to be a part of. BEST Robotics was a contributor to my decision to apply, but by no means was it the only reason. I am so glad to be attending.

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2017 Veterans Day Assembly

From left to right: David Post, Colonel Chris Miller, and Dr. Bruce Ketler

Veterans Day is a time to remember those who have served our country. To spend a day commemorating the sacrifices of the military seems like such a small token to show my gratitude. I believe the men and women serving, both actively and those who are veterans, should be remembered and prayed for daily. My family is very involved in the military and when I see a military member in uniform, I go up to them, shake their hand, and thank them for their service. It is the least I can do. We cannot understand the horrors of war if we have not experienced them. Thankfully, there are those brave enough to answer the call to serve others and our country before themselves.

At Grove City College, there have been many graduates who have answered that call to serve. For Veterans Day 2017, the Delta Iota Kappa fraternity at Grove City College sponsored a Veterans Day Assembly. The assembly was held on Friday, November 10th in Sticht Lecture Hall. When I saw the poster in the Student Union announcing the assembly, I knew I wanted to go. My brother-in-law is currently an Air Force pilot, my uncle went to West Point, my dad was an Air Traffic Controller, and my great-uncle died in Iwo Jima at age 19.  Having family directly involved in the military makes me appreciate their sacrifice even more.

The assembly began with a showing of a Vietnam War documentary film by Liam Hughes. The film was very informative about the sequence of events leading up to, during, and after the Vietnam war. There was also historical footage and scenes of the war itself. Seeing the footage makes the war come to life. When I read about wars in textbooks, it seems just like a story. Watching footage of bombings and the causalities of war makes me realize the horrors that occurred and the strength that it took to endure.

After the documentary, three Grove City College graduates and all members of the United States Air Force, spoke about their experiences serving. Colonel Chris Miller attended Grove City College from 1978-1982 and was a member of the ROTC. He served 25 years as a C-130 navigator. The C-130 was used mostly for tactical airlift operations. Colonel Miller shared many stories from his years of service. Dr. Bruce Ketler is a veteran Air Force pilot. He served in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. David Post graduated from Grove City College in 2014 and is a 1st Lieutenant and a C-130 navigator in the Air Force. Hearing their stories and some of the close calls and dangerous situations they have been in was really an eye-opening experience.

So, make sure to thank a veteran or anyone in the military. I do not think that we should wait for one day a year to show our appreciation for those who serve. What are some ways to show your gratitude? First, you can approach anyone you see in their military uniform, or if they are wearing a veteran hat. Thank them for their service and shake their hand. It means so much to them. In airports, I often see military members in their uniform, so that is a great opportunity to approach them. Secondly, look online for websites that do service projects for veterans and military members. Many accept care packages, handmade scarfs and hats, and paracord bracelets. Once, I ordered some paracord and taught myself how to make the bracelets and then send them to a military care package facility. Thirdly, write a thank you note. A heartfelt note can brighten someone’s day! Lastly, pray for our military daily. Prayer is so important and it is the least that we can do to show our support.

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Yes, You Can Graduate Early!

Going into my undergrad degree in business management, I knew that I wanted to graduate faster than the typical four-year plan. I knew that financially, it made more sense to graduate sooner, so that I could begin my career. I also did not want to spend four more years in school! I always like a good challenge, and when I set my mind to accomplish something, I go for it.

I was told by my advisor that I could graduate early. I contacted the Registrar’s office as well to make sure my classes lined up. I was able to plan my schedule to graduate in 2.5 years and take off three semesters. I did not have any credits from post-secondary or AP courses, so I was starting with 0 credits and needed 128 credits to graduate.

Every summer, Grove City College offers over 60 courses either online or on-campus. The on-campus courses take place for two weeks before classes begin in January and two weeks after the spring semester ends in May. It is called “intercession” and I was able to take a four-credit Chemistry course in just two weeks! Grove City College also allows students to take a maximum of 21 credit hours every semester, so taking overage classes is another option to get more classes out of the way.

My plan was to take full-time summer courses, while working part-time. I would focus on taking major related courses while on campus, and do most electives during the summer. I would take intersession courses if needed.  There are also some online courses during winter break, so I signed up for a Business Law course and then came back early to campus to complete the chemistry course during intersession. The great thing about the summer courses is that you can take multiple courses at one time and they are usually four weeks in length for three credits. There are both early and late summer courses, so it is staggered. Usually the same courses are offered every year, so I was able to plan out my schedule accordingly.

There are many options of classes to take over the summer and during intersession. Some examples of the variety of online classes I was able to take included: Intro to Graphic Design, Accounting, Business Ethics, and Medical Terminology. The wide variety and flexibility the online courses offered was the selling point for me. I was able to go on vacation and work ahead in most classes so that I was not behind. Some classes opened up all the coursework on the first day, and I was able to go at my own pace and knew that I could finish the course sooner than the four weeks offered if I wanted to.

Graduating early offers many benefits. For those ready to join the workforce and get out of an academic setting, Grove City College offers an opportunity to do so. The money saved on room and board is also another benefit.  Some might criticize that graduating early means that you cannot enjoy college life because you are so focused on school. I would argue that is not true. If a person is good at time management, then they should be able to have a great college experience and graduate early.

I would tell new students who are looking to graduate early, that “Yes, you can!” The thing you have to do is plan ahead. Look at what classes are required and when those classes are offered. Go talk to your academic advisor if you need help. It might seem overwhelming at first, but dedication and hard work will pay off in the long run!

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On Campus Jobs – Chapel Staff

There are a wide variety of on-campus jobs at Grove City College. Coming in as a freshman, I knew that I wanted to work part-time while in school. There were so many options to choose from. I could work in the cafeteria‘s bakery or dishroom, work a desk shift, be a lifeguard, work at the library, and the list goes on and on. One position that had a particular interest to me was working on the chapel staff.

Chapel staff is a group of three men and three women who assist Dr. Keehlwetter, the Dean of the Chapel, in running chapel services. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, chapel staff will eat breakfast with the guest speaker. Then, we will pray or read scripture during the service. At the end of chapel, some of the chapel staff are stationed at the doors to make sure no latecomers try to sneak in and get a chapel credit. There are Sunday night services, called Vespers, that we hand out programs, pray, read scripture, and also scan student’s ID cards at the end so they receive a chapel credit. During the week, there are special chapel events that we can sign up to work. The schedule is rotated so that we do not have to attend every chapel service. There are over 50 chapel services every semester!

The most memorable experience for me on chapel staff is the Christmas Candlelight Service. The chapel is decorated and filled with Christmas cheer. There is a large Christmas tree at the front and garland strewn throughout the chapel. During the service, the lights are turned out, and everyone is given a candle. Last year, on chapel staff, I helped to light the choir’s candles. Once the lights are turned off and the candles are glowing, we sing some Christmas carols. It is amazing to see the hundreds of people, students and community members, holding their candles and singing.

My favorite part of being on chapel staff is the opportunity to be involved in chapel services. I have always enjoyed attending chapel, and being able to participate has been a great experience. I also enjoy talking with the guest speakers and hearing about their stories and what they have accomplished. We have had a variety of guest speakers, from pastors to missionaries and professors. I like that there are different speakers for every chapel, the variety makes me look forward to the message.

There are many positives to being on chapel staff and very few negatives for me. For some who are not a morning person, meeting for breakfast with the chapel speaker at 8:30 may be an issue. Also, if someone does not actually enjoy going to chapel, than this is not the right job. Public speaking skills are necessary because often times, I am speaking in front of the majority of the 2,500 students. Working Sunday nights can be difficult if I choose to go home, I have to be back at the chapel by 5:45, so I have to leave my house early to be back in time. There are also evening chapels throughout the semester that could interfere with other campus activities. The schedule is flexible though, and we can get other chapel staff to cover for us, if needed.

Chapel staff is a great campus job. It has been a great learning experience for me to go behind the scenes and see how chapel is run like clockwork. I also get paid to be involved in something that I enjoy. Even if you are not interested in working on chapel staff, I would encourage students to attend more chapels, even if they do not need the chapel credits. It is a great time to focus on what really matters and to take a break from focusing on schoolwork.

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New: Intro to Robotics Class!

Grove City College has recently added the option of a Robotics minor for engineering students. The minor was started largely based on student interest in robots. The Robotics minor offers a more in-depth experience with robots than the BEST (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) competition. The BEST competition is completed by middle and high school students and is hosted at Grove City College. Some students who compete at BEST choose to attend Grove City College, and this minor gives them and any other interested students a more in-depth experience with robots.

The robot made by Kinova.

Engineering majors have full schedules. With only three credits of general electives available, the challenge was to offer a minor that was attainable with the heavy course load. I spoke with Dr. Allison, professor of Mechanical Engineering, to discuss the robotics class.  “We had to be creative in making this work, so they don’t have to come do an intersession class,” says Dr. Allison. For example, the minor requires a systems dynamics course to be taken, which is an elective option for other engineering students.

The Intro to Robotics class (ROBO 301), along with other courses in the robotic minor, provides students with the opportunity to attain the basic skills needed to work in robotics after graduation. Students can expect to walk away with a familiarity of industrial robots.  According to the Registrar’s description the class “presents the fundamentals of robot mechanism, kinematics, dynamics, and controls. Topics include forward and inverse kinematics, differential motion and velocities, dynamics and force control, path and trajectory, planning, actuators and drive systems, and sensors used in robotics systems.” The three-credit class includes two lectures, and one lab a week.

“The college has been supportive in providing capital funds,” says Dr. Allison. The engineering department has currently has one robot for the class and a second robot is expected to arrive within a few weeks. The first robot, made by Quanser/Kinova, is used for teaching control systems as well as getting deep into the mathematics behind moving the robot’s arms to follow a specific trajectory. The goal of the first robot is to teach the “mathematical basics for robot motions.” With its four degrees of freedom, a robot similar to this one is often used as an assisting device for those in wheelchairs.

The robot made by FANUC.

The second robot, made by FANUC, will be used to teach industrial robotic programming. It is used for processes such as arc welding and paint spraying applications in automotive plants. It boasts six degrees of freedom, and includes a laser-based safety system.

In the spring, a Mobile Robots class will be taught, as well as Ethics in Engineering and Robotics. I will be posting an article covering the Mobile Robots class shortly. Dr. Allison showed me an article on how Butler Memorial Hospital now has a robot that performs surgical procedures with incredible precision. Dr. Allison explained how robots performing tasks such as surgery, raise ethical issues that need to be examined from the viewpoint of Christian faith. Automation may take away current jobs, and machines can also malfunction. These topics will be discussed in the ethics class.

 

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Engineering: Senior Design Projects

Every spring, seniors in the engineering department are required to showcase what they have learned through a Senior Design Project. The projects are chosen by both professors and students. Some projects are completed for fun, a club, or even for a customer. I spoke with Mr. Jaillet in the Electrical Engineering department to get some details on what is in-store for this year’s upcoming projects.

Design goals are set by the student themselves and must meet certain course requirements. There is a lot of writing reports that goes along with the project, more writing than most people realize, according to Mr. Jaillet, “a lot of guys feel like they’ve been in a communications class when they’re done.”

This year, there are seven electrical engineering teams. The fall semester focuses mostly on designing and testing, while the spring semester focuses on construction. Teams meet to work on projects in the Senior Design Lab which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a lot of work put in at the library as well, writing the reports.

There are some very interesting projects this year. The first is a robot submarine, which is a club project. There will be a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) competition where the robot will have to complete underwater tasks. Another project is a mobile greenhouse. The original model needs to be redesigned to cover current needs.  Students at the France campus are working on a tunnel oven sensor package which is used to monitor conditions inside the oven in order to optimize the conditions for maximum efficiency. Another project Mr. Jaillet mentioned is creating a power system in Zimbabwe. The goal is to use solar power to run sewing machines.

I will be following some of the design teams and interviewing them on their projects. There will be more blogs to come covering the Senior Design Projects. I am excited to see what these teams will accomplish!

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Lydia Sutton- Experience at BEST Robotics Competition

The BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) competition presented by Elliott Group was hosted by Grove City College on October 13-14.  The BEST competition is a “middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields” (bestinc.org). The teams worked for the past six weeks to create a functioning robotic machine that can complete certain tasks in three minutes. This year, 22 teams and approximately 400 students competed at the Arena in the Physical Learning Center at Grove City College.

Lydia Sutton, a junior Elementary Education major talks about her experience in the BEST challenge when she was in high school.

Lydia at the BEST competition Mall Day, where students take their robots for a mock competition before the final competition.
Lydia at the BEST competition Mall Day, where students take their robots for a mock competition before the final competition.

What school did you participate with?

I participated in BEST with Christian Life Academy in Seneca, PA. I was a senior in high school when CLA started BEST Robotics.

Did you participate in the BEST challenge at Grove City (or had you heard of Grove City before)?

I did participate in the BEST challenge hosted at Grove City. I had also heard of Grove City before. I had been on a  tour prior to BEST, and a couple of my co-workers at a camp I worked at were Grovers. Additionally, I live less than an hour away, so I’d heard of it because it is so close to where I live. However, BEST gave me a chance to get more familiar with campus, which I wouldn’t have had if not for BEST.

What made you decide to participate in the BEST robotics challenge?

During my senior year, I was playing around with the idea of pursuing the field of engineering, and I thought that BEST robotics would be a great way to see if I would be interested in a STEM field. Additionally, my uncle is an engineer, and he actually started the program at CLA. So, I had some family obligations to fulfill.

Would you encourage other high school students to participate? Why?

I would DEFINITELY encourage other high school students to participate in BEST!!! Even though I ended up not becoming an engineer, I really enjoyed the program. It actually helped me see that my strengths didn’t lie in STEM, but in leadership. I was the CEO of our company, meaning that I oversaw all the “departments:” marketing presentations, building of the robot, fundraising, designing of the booth, writing of the engineering notebook, etc. I would encourage all students to get involved, and you don’t necessarily need to be inclined towards STEM. There are so many ways for students to demonstrate their talents and gifts through the various “departments” that I mentioned earlier. The program provides opportunities for students to get a taste of real-world work: You need to work together to create and market a successful product. I personally really enjoyed the team-building that took place. Especially since it was CLA’s first year when I participated, there was A LOT of problem solving and teamwork that happened! Additionally, it was a great way for me to spend some time with my cousins who were in the program, my aunt and uncle who headed the program, and underclassmen who I wouldn’t have necessarily gotten to know outside of robotics. Don’t get me wrong- it was REALLY hard work. But it was totally worth it, and I’m so proud to say that I was a part of BEST robotics!

Did participating in the competition help you make a decision on whether or not to attend Grove City College (if you competed at Grove City)?

Participating in this competition definitely gave me a chance to fall more in love with this campus. As I mentioned, this experience more helped me figure out what major not to pick than what to pick, but I definitely enjoyed becoming more familiar with campus. I also thought it was really cool that a college would provide such a rich opportunity like BEST to high school students. While I don’t know that I could say that BEST directly influenced me to come to GCC, it definitely got me interested to learn more about GCC.

To find out more about the BEST competition visit: www.bestinc.org