Biology

I hail from the wilds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and occasionally you'll catch a bit of a "Yooper" accent in my speech. I was blessed to grow up in a small community, much like Hillsdale, where most everybody knows of everybody else, and people actually care about each other. Love of God, family, and country were placed in my heart quite early by my father--a United States Marine. Before coming to Hillsdale, I graduated from a public high school of about 400 students, where I captained both my cross-country and track teams. I was a member of student government, National Honor Society, and Science Olympiad. In Hillsdale, I'm the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraising chairman, an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity, a Student Ambassador, and I participate with Student Activities Board. My interests vary--it is hard to pin me down for long. A few of my favorite things are hiking, running, playing some hockey, reading, and most importantly, doing these things in the company of my friends.

I had no intention of attending a small school when I began my college search. Coming from a small town, I wanted to go to a large school, where I could immerse myself in something new and different. I toured many colleges, and they seemed to blur together, yet Hillsdale stuck out in my mind. The friendly people, the academically conducive atmosphere, the College's stance on how education should be, and the simple beauty of the campus kept it a secure frontrunner of places I wanted to attend. After visiting a second time, overnight, I felt that I was a good fit for Hillsdale, and Hillsdale a good fit for me. Academics are cherished, yet friendships are prided. In true liberal arts fashion, the College caters to both of these student needs.

Dr. Arnn, the president of Hillsdale, can often be heard tracing the meaning of "college" to its Latin meaning, "partnership." In my experience thus far, what sets Hillsdale apart is our acceptance of this principle. Students, professors, and administrators all work together together to create our education--and to keep Hillsdale going. This is something I treasure. Beyond this, the people I've been blessed to meet, especially my brothers, make the Hillsdale experience even better. The relationships I have made here will last long after graduation.

After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school for psychology. The location, or if my plan will come to fruition, is a mystery to me. I'm open to all possibilities!

A recent unique experience I've had at Hillsdale was a pizza and movie night that Dr. Arnn put together for my fraternity. We watched Casablanca, and afterward Dr. Arnn lectured on the themes of the movie. Later on that evening, we enjoyed some cigars while discussing life, education, and the pursuit of manliness with him. Nowhere but Hillsdale would this happen. Things like this aren't a rarity here, they happen all the time.

While writing an English paper, I could not seem to make progress with the topic I had chosen. I went to see Dr. Bart to work out the kinks, and ended up having an hour-long conversation about life in general. To get to know a professor on that level is awesome.

Hillsdale's core has placed me in classes I would never have taken at another college. This diversified education, much like a diversified investments portfolio, will serve any student well for the rest of their life. No matter where I work, or what life throws at me, I'll likely have had a class here that will allow me to think through the situation. Also, the core cultivates new academic interests, while nurturing ones that already exist. I would have never taken a philosophy class, but after having it here, I can adequately appreciate philosophy--and I've grown to love it. The true liberal arts education that the core gives a Hillsdale student is the epitome of why our alumni are successful in any environment.

jpapciak@hillsdale.edu