Biology (Pre-Medicine)

The son of a caring father and nurturing mother, I was blessed enough to grow up in an all-American household. The oldest of five children, I was born in northern Indiana and then moved to Linden, Michigan, when I was about 12 years old. Graduating from Linden, I was heavily involved in extracurricular activities such as president of the senior class, president of the National Honor Society, as well as multiple musical productions and the track team. My family and my faith have always been a huge influence in my life, and I strive to live everyday remembering Isaiah 40:31, which says “Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.”

Now at Hillsdale, I continue to stay involved in multiple arenas such as Hillsdale Christian Fellowship, my job as a Student Ambassador, and my academics. I am also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and sit on the Relay for Life board.

Truly foolish, I at first did not want to come to Hillsdale, though, I believe that in my heart I always knew it was the place for me. The curb appeal of a larger school and a bigger town attracted me, though, when it was time to finally accept that I was going to spend my next four years in one place, I knew Hillsdale was worth my time. With a core curriculum true to the definition of liberal arts and professors who really care, Hillsdale has something to offer that I believe one would be hard pressed to find at any other school: a lifetime education. No matter where you are or will be in life, what you learn at Hillsdale can prepare you for things to come. Beginning in works of literature that the greatest of men and women have studied establishes a foundation that will allow every student to make the hardest and most simple of choices. Combined with a unique love for funding students’ education through scholarships and the like, I knew that Hillsdale would allow me to explore everything from social to academic life in a way specially designed for me.

What I like best about Hillsdale is its unique ability to allow you to design your own college experience. There is no cookie cutter student at Hillsdale, in fact, each of us is different from the next. From our goals and aspirations to our interests in study, we are allowed to reflect ourselves in campus life and our majors, something I do not believe every school has to offer. With a core curriculum truly focused on the liberal arts, your professors and mentors set a strong foundation for your education and values, and then, you become the master of your future and make your time at Hillsdale what you want it to be. And, no matter what you choose, you’ll not only be happy with your decision, but you’ll be supported and encouraged by your fellow peers and professors along the way.

After graduation, my hope is to attend medical school in order to become a doctor. My love of people, along with a fondness for problem-solving and counseling, drives me to the medical field, and I am confident that once I am a doctor I will be able to best help the world in this way, with the gifts God has given me. Of course, my heart also lies in family, so I hope to someday have a family and wife to adore as well.

Cliché as it sounds, every day is an experience at Hillsdale. The campus has so many aspects that something is always happening, no matter the time of day or time of year. This is comforting, because since we live our day-to-day lives so focused on school, the little things that happen on campus can change our days from average to awesome. From countless nights in the library to lazy days on the Quad, friends are always important, and sometimes supporting them while they excel can be the most unique and rewarding experiences of all.

My freshman year, I was taking Dr. Jackson’s Rhetoric and Great Books English class and went to his office to conference as well as receive my grade for a paper that I had written. Confident in my abilities and excited to see how I’d done, I went into his office with a big smile on my face. Taking one look at my smile, Dr. Jackson looked up, thought a minute, and then gestured to a bowl full of candy sitting on his desk. “Would you like a sucker?” he said, and suggested that I sit down. He proceeded to tell me that I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped, but assured me that I wouldn’t fail the class because of it. As I left, a bit dejected, he said in the most understanding of voices, “Maybe you’d like another sucker?”

Since I’ve been at Hillsdale, I’ve had the privilege to read documents and literature that I only heard about in high school. Getting to read it, study it, and work through it is something that Hillsdale has allowed me to do, but in a way that I’ll attain substance from the works. Working under men and women who have devoted their lives to their field of study, they share a bit of their wisdom with each and every student, and are happy to do it. If you are there to learn, then they are there to teach; that is something that I can promise you. From our core curriculum, I’ve learned that if I’m willing to invest my time, then those, peer or professor, who understand or excel in something that I do not, are willing to teach, guide, and encourage me along the way. Through the core curriculum at Hillsdale, I’ve had the privilege to learn and debate things that I otherwise would not, and, from these experiences, I truly believe that I will be more prepared for life beyond Hillsdale, Michigan.

srode@hillsdale.edu