Gustavus Adolphus College

In high school, I was interested in music, theatre, history and writing. I acted in four full-length plays including Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Dracula, as well as building sets for and doing other technical theatre for countless other productions. I was active in the acapella and Jazz choirs and took voice lessons. One of my crowning achievements was being published in the student managed and edited poetry journal put out by the English department every year. I wrote weekly for the school newspaper on varying issues. I played intramural and competitive frisbee. Some of my favorite memories are from the frisbee pitch with my friends, taking on teams from other schools or each other. Every year since freshman year of high school, I have spent at least a month of the summer at Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival, an intensive music program for musicians who want to improve their skills and sharpen their focus over the summer. I credit it with keeping my interest in music strong and helping me develop my musical skills. It also helped me form friendships that last to this day.

When I first went on a tour of Gustavus, I loved the environment. It's a beautiful campus, and everyone I met, both students and staff, were so kind and seemed genuinely interested in me. The reason I choose Gustavus is because it felt like home, from the first visit. I was always comfortable and at ease while on campus.

I am in Curriculum II, and take a lot of pleasure and pride in that program. I've taken historical perspectives courses, biblical interpretations, beginning acting, creative writing and two semesters of Latin. I cannot express how much I admire my professors. They're all competent, kind and make me want to learn what they have to teach me. I'm also involved in two choirs: The Gustavus Choir and the St. Ansgar's Chorus. I love both of them, and I'm constantly improving in my voice lessons with Tim O'Brien. Dr. Aune, our G-Choir director, has a masterful command of his repertoire and an extraordinary ability to manipulate the sound of his choir to the point of being otherworldly. Between a rigorous academic schedule, work and music, pretty much all of my time is filled.

Playwriting with Professor Huff over January term was the most fun and entertaining course I've ever had the pleasure to take. Dr. Huff made an art that I love to a whole new form and helped me begin to master that form. Every day of that class was funny, memorable and full of knowledge.

Robert Redford dessert. I can't explain it. It's addictive, and whenever they have it I always have two.

I play raquetball with them, eat with them on a daily basis,and sit in their offices just talking about nothing in particular. In short, they're friends to me, not just professors.

I'd like to be an author after I graduate Gustavus and go to graduate school. One of my dearest ambitions is to be a published poet and be able to write for a living.

Don't over-think your decision. Sure, academics and sports and extra-curriculars are important, but if you aren't comfortable somewhere, then it isn't the right place. Also, don't be too worried about the transition. All the other first-years are as worried as you are and making friends is pretty easy once you get to talking.

Christmas in Christ Chapel: all the music, the friendships, and the chance to perform for so many visitors and really start off Christmas in a beauiful way make CinCC a truly rewarding experience.

mheider@gustavus.edu