Tessa Baty

“While the lake was a big selling point for me, I chose Carthage because I loved the people. I came to campus for two tours, the second of which I sat in on a choir rehearsal. I could picture myself among the students and hoped being in a new state and area would provide exciting opportunities while still maintaining that homey Midwestern feel. The choice ultimately came down to where I felt most wanted and welcomed. And that was Carthage.”

“A close relationship with at least one faculty on campus, a sort of mentorship relationship, is priceless. I’ve actually found that with Anna Hegland, who currently works as the director of the Writing and Tutoring Center and also teaches classes like Intellectual Foundations. You can find a mentor in a professor in your major, a staff member, a coach, or a musical director. The truth of the matter is, there are so many people on campus who care about you and want you to succeed. Whether you need help with a class assignment or just need to talk about how stressed you are about finding an internship, so many doors are open to you. As I’ve taken more and more classes with repeated professors, I’ve gotten to know them more and vice versa, and it truly enhances my learning to have a more personal connection with the person I’m learning from.”

“I am in the Carthage Choir. I knew even before I was on campus that this was a group I wanted to be a part of. One of the best things about a liberal arts education is that, even if something isn’t your major, you can still participate in clubs, classes, activities, etc. For me, Carthage Choir is exactly that. I find great joy in singing with others and wanted to keep it as a hobby. We meet every day, and I meet so many like-minded friends through choir each year. It’s also a source of pride to say that we are an accomplished choir. We put everything that we can into our craft, partly due to the fact that our director, Professor Maggie Burk, pours all of herself into us and our music as well. We have several performances throughout the year and opportunities to travel together, bringing Carthage across state lines and even to different countries. I truly can’t imagine my experience at Carthage without the choir.”

“I never really thought I would have the guts to travel abroad during college, but I’m ecstatic to say that I’ve accepted every opportunity that has come my way to travel. My first experience was going to Stratford, Ontario, Canada for the Stratford Theater Festival, which is a trip organized through the English Department. It felt more approachable than a study abroad J-Term because it was a bus trip as opposed to a trip that requires multiple flights. I was anxious for sure, but once I was there, I was able to get more acquainted with my English peers. I relished in the small-town feel of Stratford where local shops and beautiful scenery were at our disposal during our many free hours during the trip, and the professional performances we were able to see were unbelievable and truly worth the money.”

“I was then made aware of an English J-Term trip to England. Deciding to go on this trip was one of the biggest leaps I’ve made in my life but also one of the biggest payoffs I’ve ever experienced. It was a small group of 10 students, so it was easy to travel. The professor, David Garcia, was so kind and patient on the trip that I truly felt comfortable and safe as I was pushed outside my comfort zone and experienced new things left and right. Since then, I have travelled once more to Stratford and am looking forward to going to England and Scotland with the Carthage Choir for a summer J-Term.”

“I am now working in The Aspire Center as a career ambassador. In this role, I serve as a front desk receptionist, plan events like the Career Fairs or Declaration Celebration, work on individual projects designed to give me experience in potential careers, and act as an example for students regarding My Aspire Plan (MAP). I love working in The Aspire Center. The career specialists are all so kind, funny, and knowledgeable about opportunities for students on and off campus. And of course, there’s always the benefit of being able to save money. I am also an English fellow this semester. The main work I do in this role is social media related, trying to notify and make posts about upcoming English Department events. I love the way I’m more aware of English opportunities on campus through creating this content and the relationships I’m building with Carthage faculty and alumni.”

“My favorite spot on campus is the sidewalk behind The Tower, from The Caf to The Oaks (where I live). This is one of the most peaceful and uninhibited views I get of the lake, and it never fails to make me smile and breathe deeply to soak in the freshness and life emanating from the water. I’m so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.”

“One of the memories that makes me smile the most is when I won a giant Squishmallow at one of Carthage Activities Board’s bingo nights. It was the end of sophomore year, and I had yet to win anything in bingo. When that last number I needed was called, I have never jumped up so fast in my life. It truly felt like a right of passage.”

“The best way to make friends is by joining clubs. The more classes you take in your major, the more connected you’ll become with those peers. But clubs that meet every week or multiple times a week for the entire year are the best way to create a consistent connection with other like-minded people. The majority of my closest friends on campus are in the choir with me, and I truly don’t know where I’d be without that daily connection and social time together.”