I choose my major because … I have always asked questions. I’ve always wanted to understand our world and what it makes it work. Political Philosophy addresses this task by asking the core questions of humanity and then applying it to the political life. It is my hope that by studying and trying to answer these questions for myself, I will then be able to help guide others in their questions about humanity and our way of life.
My favorite professor at NIU is … Dr. Gary Glenn. His classes are taught in small groups that are discussion-based and question-driven. Dr. Glenn also teaches in-depth courses in the great books and important subject matter. During my studies with Dr. Glenn I have read authors such as Plato, Xenophone, Tocqueville, Locke, Rousseau and the Founding Fathers. I have also studied such subjects as “Courting, Marriage and Politics,” “Family and Politics,” and “Heroes and Politics” along with other subjects in Political Philosophy.
My favorite thing to do on campus is … to be active. It could be enjoying a NIU sporting event, listening to a free concert performed by the music school or just riding my bike around campus on a nice spring/fall day. My goal is to enjoy all the things on campus like lectures, working at a newspaper and participating in service projects that I would not be able to do if I wasn’t on a college campus.
Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … being part of student organizations like my co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and the Northern Star. Through these groups I’ve meet my friends, my roommates and even interviewed a few celebrities. These groups provide me with a break from the classroom, but a break that is still productive and gives back to the community, whether it’s through community service or providing the news.
When I have free time, I like to … hang out with my friends. Usually its just talking or grabbing some dinner, but sometimes if we can get enough people we’ll play softball, go sledding or head to the bowling lanes.
One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here is … to get active right away. There are so many things that you can only do when you’re in college through joining clubs and organizations. To miss these opportunities is truly to waste the college experience.
One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … that I can be successful on my own. While in high school I made a lot of choices for myself, but my parents where still there as a safety net. While I still have a multitude of support from my professor, support staff and my parents, I found in college that I was able to be successful on my own in and outside of the classroom.
If I was guaranteed success, I would … continue to learn forever. I would pursue degrees in all types of fields from political science, history and journalism to chemistry, metrology and astronomy.
After graduation, I plan to … announce baseball for the Chicago Cubs, I wish! In reality I hope to either pursue a doctorate degree in Political Philosophy with the eventual goal of teaching, find a career in sports journalism or possibly serve for four-to-five years in the armed forces.
The one NIU experience I will always remember will be … driving with my friends to Detroit watch the Huskies in the 2005 MAC Championship football game. The game was amazing, except for the final 1:40 as NIU lost to Akron by one point. Then, on the drive home, we got lost and ended up in Ohio. We then proceeded through a major snowstorm where we could barely see the road. We made it back to Northern around 4 a.m., just enough time to take a nap and get up for my Friday morning classes.
Area of Study: Master of Arts in Political Theory
Graduation Date: May 2010
Hometown: Naperville
High School: Waubonsie Valley
Other Degrees: B.A., Political Science, May 2008, NIU
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