I've lived in two houses. They stand just over two miles away from one another. That being said, the institutions that shaped my mind and heart had ample time to do so. I belong to the same family and the same church that I was born into. The thorough explanation of what loves looks like that these two institutions provided for my eyes and soul continues with me constantly. Due to this unique influence, well-exercised by my parents and my pastors and all the others that were able to love me, I can say that my most sincere goal in life at Hillsdale is to love my friends in a deep and unceasing way. Furthermore, my high school experience prodded me toward a passionate love of knowledge. My challenging liberal arts high school presented me with opportunities to study higher things in the arenas of math, science, fine arts, and humanities. This prepared me perfectly to transition into alignment with Hillsdale's outlook on things. All these institutions in concert comprise who I am today and will continue to figure in prominently on who I will be going forward.

There was a Sunday school teacher called Jeff that used to chant at me as he subtly brandished his fist. “Hillsdale! Hillsdale! Hillsdale!” was the only utterance he aimed at me from the time I left sixth grade. He knew it would be the perfect fit. When it came time to look into actually doing something with my life, his persevering exclamation came to mind. The final and most salient step in the process was actually visiting the school, which I was able to do twice during my senior year of high school. The second time, in early March, convinced me that there could be no other place for me that would be home like Hillsdale. My host, a junior at the time, embraced his role with vigor and showed me the many beauties of living among friends at Hillsdale College. He invited me into traditions and conversations and inside jokes almost immediately. The best part about this story, is that he and I are now close, close friends. He graduated last year, but returned to visit campus before heading to basic training for the Marines. I drove him to the airport on his last day of visiting. We hugged a tearful hug after an ardent conversation, remembering the serendipitous circumstances under which we met. Becoming best friends with the guy that hosts you on your high school visit -- that is Hillsdale.

I've said a lot on this already, but I will repeat myself and perhaps tell another anecdote. To be short, and perhaps repetitive, Hillsdale is home. The community this place boasts seems to me matchless among the college campuses of today. Intellectually, my peers fervently seek the truth. Religiously, they seek God ceaselessly. Relationally, they seek to love one another in a compelling fashion. Every day I am party to my friends finding new ways to serve one another in action and encouragement. I've learned so much from these brilliant and loving friends of mine. One story is especially characteristic of the enterprising and joyful and spontaneous people I share life with here at Hillsdale. On fall break this semester, 19 of us hopped in cars and went up to a cabin in northern Michigan for the few days we had off school. On Saturday night, we drove over to Petoskey for dinner and coffee afterwards. At the coffee shop, a girl sitting by our group blurted out, “Who are you guys? You're so bright. You clearly love each other a lot!” This affirmed and summarized so much about what I believe about my friends. Ecstatic at the night and the girl's kind words, all 19 of us ran out of the coffee shop and down toward a dock that juts out into a bay that leads into Lake Michigan. It was windy, but we ran, together to the very edge of the dock, and when we arrived sat down in a long line. The wind bit, but we sang back at it. We sang all sorts of songs from hymns, to popular tunes, to Irish folk songs. We were blissful. Hillsdale consists of such euphoria.

I've thought a lot about not thinking about post-graduation plans. Lately, however, I ventured into thinking more concretely on the subject. It may be more fair to say that I've begun to dream on the subject. I would love to start a charter school one day. Because the institutions in my life have given me so much, I would like to be a part of giving that same formative experience to others. Over the years, I've paid mind to ideas of law school, ministry, and non-profit work. Now, and for more than a little while, I've been focused on education. America needs educational improvements on all levels. I've seen firsthand the power high school has to mold the trajectory of a young man or woman's life. That being said, I would love to lead and teach in a liberal arts charter school and am still discovering what that will mean to me over the next few years.

I've had too many singular experiences during my time here to thoroughly communicate here. That being said, I'll share two that stick out to me. Upon arriving on campus, I was readily and generously accepted into an established group of upperclassmen friends. I was not the only one. Many were added to the number of these upperclassmen. It seems to me completely unique to a place like Hillsdale for freshmen to be sought after as close friends. I even had the privilege of going on spring break with 20 seniors in March of my freshman year. This was an incredible atmosphere to walk into as a recent high school graduate. It was encouraging to be so well-received and to witness the wisdom and ways of men and women that had been living life well at Hillsdale for years. It taught me so much to be around those folks and demonstrated the way people can love each other as friends at Hillsdale. The other experience that comes to mind is my time working with disabled children through various volunteering programs at Hillsdale. Charitable work is highly encouraged here, and almost everyone I know is involved in serving those less fortunate in one or more ways. The amount of people volunteering in droves from the beginning of my first semester here exhorted me to start doing so myself. My experience could not have been more rewarding. On Wednesdays I bowl with the Best Buddies Program, and on Sundays I teach a lesson with the Manor program. We go to serve the kids, but they turn around and encourage us with their joy every week.

One Friday afternoon, I was especially discouraged at some sufferings my friends were enduring. For a good hour, I wandered around campus praying and thinking and somewhat confused. Finally, I realized I needed to talk to someone about things and I was sure one of my professors that I was spending my second semester studying with would be the best man to talk to. I went up to his office and found him there ready to speak with me about anything that was troubling me. It was so encouraging to sit down with such a wise man and discuss challenging and real questions of life. This is no rare occurrence on this campus. Many of my friends have important conversations with professors here on a regular basis. Although they are treated with utmost reverence, professors also make themselves available as friends.

The core curriculum is a perfect reminder of the ends Hillsdale pursues. The classes we take as a part of the core establish at least a rudimentary foundation in all the various topics that comprise a well-rounded intellect. I am glad we have a core curriculum that requires time and effort out of students while we shape the most basic and necessary elements of our minds. The core is the essence of what it means to be liberally educated and is one of the first steps along the road of self-governance that Hillsdale propels us down.

aschepps@hillsdale.edu