German

Born and raised in west Michigan, I am the oldest of three children. Some of the fondest memories of my youth remain rooted in charming west Michigan; the lake, the gorgeous beach, sports in the summer, and spending unforgettable time with friends. I consider myself fortunate to be a product of this environment. The good Lord has blessed me with a loving family and parents who, from the very beginning, sought the best for me in every facet of life and taught me the value of integrity, hard work, community and faith. Educated at Hamilton High School, I participated in National Honor Society and lettered in basketball and tennis. Here at Hillsdale, I serve as a Student Ambassador and am a Resident Advisor. I also serve as a mentor and Leadership Team member for Hillsdale College’s Life and Liberty Summer Institute, a program designed to educate underprivileged, college-bound high school students on the importance of the liberal arts and self-governance. Along with participating in both intramural football and basketball, I attend Hillsdale Christian Fellowship and a weekly worship gathering, the Well. This past semester, I had the privilege of joining the resurging Delta Tau Delta fraternity, in which I currently serve on the administrative board. My wonderfully vast experiences at Hillsdale, though unforgettable and life changing, continue to remind me of God’s immeasurable blessings and challenge me to make the most of my educational experience.

Growing up in the shadow of another liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, I sought a conservative education that placed a strong emphasis on history, political science and traditional western values. I found these things, and more, on my visits to Hillsdale College as a prospective student. The outstanding faculty, highly qualified and always willing to help, combined with the rigorous academics and the friendly nature of the campus, convinced me that I wanted to call Hillsdale College my home.

Only one word can encapsulate the Hillsdale experience: “community.” The relationships and memories I have formed here are truly a blessing and will remain with me for the rest of my life. Community at Hillsdale, essential to the vitality of our campus, promotes togetherness during tough and strenuous academic periods and enables students to form bonds that set us apart from any other academic institution.

After graduation, I hope either to pursue teaching and coaching at the secondary level or attend graduate school to pursue a higher degree in history or public policy. Most importantly, however, I hope to marry a wonderful, amazing, God-fearing woman and raise an awesome family.

While attending Hillsdale, I have had the opportunities to meet great friends, grow spiritually through Bible studies and fellowship, sharpen my mind, and gain confidence in social settings. I consider my co-curricular involvement at Hillsdale fundamental to my educational experience. I have also had the privilege of meeting distinguished visitors Mitt Romney and Pat Sajak and listening to guest lecturers Victor Davis Hanson and Sir Martin Gilbert.

Though my Hillsdale experience lacks a humorous anecdote about a professor, I will never forget the awesome power of Dr. Conner’s booming, passionate lectures and his masterful accounts of military history in my class, “The Two World Wars.”

The core curriculum, aside from challenging me academically, has whetted my appetite for learning in areas that I might not have considered pursuing before attending Hillsdale College. The opportunities to take classes in history, German, political science and English have left me with a perplexing dilemma: I find I like too many subject areas. Only at Hillsdale College could I deem this a good problem to have.

mklingenberg@hillsdale.edu