Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, as the second oldest in a family of 15 children, my upbringing centered around faith, family and food. People often wonder how the Bessmer house functions; don’t worry, I’m still amazed that it all works. Despite the constant chaos of day-to-day life, family dinners and evening rosaries are daily routines. Along with my other siblings, I was homeschooled through the eighth grade and then sent into the “real world,” otherwise known as high school. Having played the violin and piano since age five, I spent a considerable amount of time in high school practicing and performing music. My father started my younger brother and I in scouting when we were young, and with his constant help and encouragement, we both earned the Eagle Scout rank before graduating from high school. Looking back on my upbringing and my experiences, I realize that those things which seemed so small to me--so routine--at the time, ended up shaping my character. I understand that the important lessons and values I learned over the years were not taught in a classroom, but at home. After a tour of Hillsdale, I noticed that it did not feel like other colleges I visited; it felt like a home. This made my college decision an easy one. To me, the education Hillsdale offers doesn’t just build a student’s resume, it also builds their character.

Graduating from a sizable public high school, I planned to attend a large state university along with my peers. However, even though I thought I had made my college decision, my father compelled me to make one last college visit to Hillsdale. When I visited for the first time and my Student Ambassador took me to lunch, he informed me of how the students would simply leave their backpacks around the student union without a worry of anything being taken. Because he probably saw some doubt in my eye, he proved it to me by leaving his wallet lying on a chair in the student union while we ate lunch. Upon returning to his wallet nearly an hour later, we found it in the exact same position. While this is only a small representation of the honor that Hillsdale students live up to, I believe this incident showed me the high expectation Hillsdale has of its students. More than anything, the common trust among students and their desire to lead virtuous lives completely changed my view of college. I will never forget that day. As I left Hillsdale the following day, I knew that it was the place for me. After being accepted and receiving the Honor Code in the mail to sign, I knew that Hillsdale meant business. I realized that I was not signing something that was looked upon lightly, but a high standard that I would be expected to uphold.

I believe that the best aspect of Hillsdale College is the fact that all Hillsdale students have a common goal: a desire to better themselves. In my time as a student at Hillsdale, I have found that I feel perfectly comfortable walking up to any student of any grade to ask a question, invite him or her to play frisbee, or just hold a good conversation. Whether it is a senior football player, the president of a Greek fraternity, or someone who can frequently be found studying at AJ’s, I feel no apprehensiveness talking to them because I know that however different we may be, we have common ground here at Hillsdale. Every student here has a desire to better themselves, and while each student’s goal in life may be different, the commonality that we have provides for a college experience unlike any other: one of family-like unity.

My mother always tells me, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” While the saying my sound a bit cliché, as I grow older I am finding it to be extremely true. After taking economics and accounting at Hillsdale, I could definitely see myself working in the financial sector after graduation; However, I have not ruled out the possibility of attending graduate school to pursue higher education. I have always enjoyed learning about the many aspects of businesses and someday in the future would like to run a business of my own. As for now, I am doing my best at Hillsdale to lay the foundation for my future, and I am leaving the rest up to God.

As a resident advisor in Galloway dorm, I was challenged to do something courageous with the freshmen their first night on campus. Being almost 11:00 p.m., we decided that it would be seen as courageous if we all knocked on Dr. Arnn’s front door and asked for a tour of his house. As we all stood beneath his porch light and rang his doorbell, I knew that the freshmen were about to experience something truly unique. Dr. Arnn promptly opened his front door and accepted the request for a tour of his house. After a lengthy showing of his home, he gave us a brief lecture on the importance of a liberal education and then sent us on our way. This experience, and many others similar to it, make Hillsdale unlike any other. The relationships students are able to build with each other, professors, and even the president of the College are extraordinary.

On a freezing winter day during my freshman year, a group of students had set up a fundraiser on the Quad selling apple cider and donuts. In the few minutes before my Spanish class with Dr. Chouza-Calo, many students in the classroom discussed how they had also noticed the donuts and apple cider for sale. In hearing this, Dr. Chouza-Calo told us all that she would let our class out a few minutes early so that we could go buy some. However, at the end of the lecture that day, not only did she let us out early, but she also went to the table with us and purchased the whole class cider and donuts.

The core curriculum, while being at the heart of Hillsdale students’ education, serves different purposes for various students. In my time here, the core curriculum has made me a more well-rounded and confident person. Attending an institution that requires its students to learn about the sciences, humanities, music, and even the U.S. Constitution is a unique and humbling experience. If one were to picture education as a complete pie, split into all of its different parts, it becomes easier to see the importance and impact of a liberal education. As I complete the classes required in the core curriculum, I feel as if I am slowly growing toward a complete ‘pie’ of education. The liberal education at Hillsdale has given me the opportunity to take courses that I otherwise would not have taken and to see truth and beauty from many different perspectives. Also, I have found having a liberal education has given me the confidence to approach any conversation with the confidence that I will have something intelligent to contribute.

rbessmer@hillsdale.edu