As we anticipate welcoming the Class of 2029, let’s celebrate the impact of our newest Carthaginians. Meet 18 first-year students who are definitely ready for year two.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I chose Carthage because of its prestigious business programs. Employers look to hire accounting and finance majors early, and Carthage is able to connect me with multiple recruiters and hold career fairs so that I can get exposed to professionals in my field of study.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I serve as the president of the Soccer Club, treasurer of the Finance and Investment Club, a member of the Front Office Sports Management Club, and a consultant for Velocity Consulting — a student-run business on campus.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year? The accomplishment I am most proud of in my first year was securing an internship at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen). From the connections I made at Carthage’s career fair, I was able to land an internship. My internship allowed me to grow professionally and apply what I learned in the classroom to a business.
Which professor helped you succeed during your first year? Professor Julie Dawson’s teaching style in Intermediate Accounting II resonated with me and made me learn and know the material — not memorize and forget it. As my academic advisor, Prof. Dawson sets me up with success, helping me pick future classes and giving me multiple paths to meet my career goals.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I researched many of the faculty within my majors and my minor because I wanted my knowledge to come from professors who had personal, real-world experiences, as this is essential to my future career in law enforcement. Carthage also gave me the opportunity to play golf and the privilege of living on Lake Michigan with its stunning views.
What class did you take for J-Term? What do you hope to do for future J-Terms? In my first J-Term, I took an elective class for my sociology major, Social Problems. This class gave me a lot of insight and knowledge about America’s social problems, including introducing me to some I wasn’t even aware existed. In future J-Terms, I hope to potentially take advantage of one of the many study abroad opportunities Carthage has to offer.
What’s been the biggest surprise about your first year of college? The biggest surprise about my first year of college is how diverse Carthage’s campus is. It means a lot to me to see how much diversity matters here. Carthage’s campus is an environment where inclusivity and representation are valued. I am excited to be surrounded by people who are similar to me, and there is so much I have learned and will continue to learn from people who are different from me.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I knew I wanted a liberal arts education so that I could study the humanities and sciences side by side to receive a well-rounded intellectual experience. I thought the class sizes and curriculum offered at Carthage would fit what I wanted, and I was right! I also liked how close I was to home just in case I needed my family support system.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I’m involved in the National Society of Leadership and Success, Nu Roh Psi (National Neruroscience Honors Society), Neurophysiology Lab, Biology Club, Neuroscience Club, Pre-Health Club, Hermanas Juntas, Catholics at Carthage, Intervarsity Fellowship, Book Club, Horticulture Club, Fiber Arts Club, and Yoga Club.
Why was it important for you to get involved on campus right away? Being involved and establishing a community for yourself is part of our role in society as human beings, but it is also a profound way to discover yourself. In joining clubs and organizations, I met so many kind people, and I felt free to make mistakes, learn and grow from them, and discover the kind of person I want to be.
What’s been the biggest surprise about your first year of college? I think I have surprised myself greatly by how much I have come out of my shell and stepped into this new segment of my life.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I chose to come Carthage because of its strong athletic training and swimming programs.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I am on the swim and dive team. I’m also involved in Cure Club and Special Olympics Club, work at the front desk for Hedberg Library, and am an athletic trainer assistant.
Why was it important for you to get involved on campus right away? Being involved early on helped me step out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges. It also made my transition to college way easier, as I felt more connected to my friends, coaches, and the campus community.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year? One accomplishment I’m most proud of in my first year is not skipping any classes. The transition to college is overwhelming with more freedom and responsibilities, but I made a commitment to prioritize my education and stay disciplined.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? The community! This was the last school I toured, and it shocked me just how at home I felt. When I came back for a second and even a third time, people remembered me and the things I had said, and were genuinely happy to see me again. I knew I fit in here and couldn’t see myself anywhere else!
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year? Getting cast in a production each of my first two semesters at Carthage! After touring many different places for musical theatre, it became very clear that freshmen either couldn’t do shows yet or likely weren’t cast. However, it has not only been so fun to be a part of a dance show and a musical on campus, but a great learning experience as well.
Which professor helped you succeed during your first year? All of my professors have been extremely kind and genuinely want me to succeed! However, if I had to pick one, it would be Professor Matthew Hougland! Not only was his Musical Theatre Techniques class one of my highlights from the first semester, but he is always a professor I know I can go to with questions or problems at any time, and he will always be there to hear them!
What class did you take for J-Term? What do you hope to do for future J-Terms? For my first J-Term, I took a Costume Lab, which was unbelievably fun! Not only did I complete a required class, but I got to learn how to sew (by hand and machine), to do stage makeup, and to design a costume. In future J-Terms, I would love to study abroad as it has always been a dream of mine to travel to England or France!
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? My decision came down to Carthage and UW-Madison. For me, the most significant factor in choosing Carthage was building upon the community involvement I had already set roots in.
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? Professor Christine Blaine continuously encourages my love for science, Professor Richard Sperber challenged my Spanish with fun exercises, and Professor James Ungureanu opened my eyes to the connection between religion and science.
What class did you take for J-Term? What do you hope to do for future J-Terms? I took Understandings of Religion with Professor Fatih Harpci, and I do not regret it one bit. He made a three-hour class engaging with fun class discussions and thought-provoking presentations. I loved J-Term since it gave me time to focus on material and still enjoy my winter at home! For a future J-Term, I am hoping to study abroad for religious, cultural, or healthcare studies.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? The community and the Music Department! There is nowhere else I would rather be than here down by the lake. I was already close with some of the faculty here due to my local high school, and it was such an easy choice.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I’m a member of the Carthage Wind Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo Club, Pep Band, and Co-ed Music Fraternity (Lambda Kappa).
Why was it important for you to get involved on campus right away? I wanted to get involved simply because I wanted to get to know people. My favorite thing about Carthage is the community, and I think because of how involved I am on campus that’s why I love it so much.
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? All of them have helped me in their own specific way, but I couldn’t go without thanking my band directors and advisors: professors Edward Kawakami, James Ripley, and Erik Engebretson. The environment they always bring into rehearsal and attention and dedication they give to everyone one of their students has always been welcoming and encouraging.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I chose to come to Carthage to spread out my interests, which has allowed me to have three majors and compete in a sport simultaneously with a ton of support from coaches and faculty alike!
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? Professor Kim Instenes helped me a lot by creating an inviting class atmosphere that made me feel comfortable in the Theatre Department right away!
What class did you take for J-Term? What do you hope to do for future J-Terms? I took Data Science I and worked on the sound for “Life Is a Dream.” This summer, I’m also going on a travel J-Term to Edinburgh, Scotland with the Theatre Department to help with “Life Cycle of a Star,” another production I worked on this past year!
What’s been the biggest surprise about your first year of college? My involvement with the Theatre Department! I’m very fortunate to have great professors who trust and guide newer students to success within the technical theatre program.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I love the different organizations and clubs Carthage offers. I’m involved in Black Student Union, Fiber Arts Club, Sister Sister, and Art Club.
Why was it important for you to get involved on campus right away? Getting involved in school right away was important to me because I wanted to build a strong support system. That means connecting with both faculty/staff and students. Plus, it’s crucial to get out there, learn the campus, and start building those connections that will turn into long-lasting memories.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? The accomplishment I’m most proud of is my resilience and ability to push through tough classes and assignments. Navigating that first semester was really challenging, trying to figure out the campus, the workload, and just generally what steps to take. But I persevered, and I ended up with good grades.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I was lucky enough to be selected for a Presidential Scholarship, significantly reducing the price of attending college. Beyond that, the small class sizes, personal connection with professors, and beautiful landscaping with an excellent lake view solidified my decision to attend.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? Attending an affordable housing advocacy conference with Habitat for Humanity significantly grew my understanding of lobbying in our federal system, and the annual Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Conference connected me with law school recruiters across the country, allowing me to learn more about post-graduate opportunities.
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? The expectations that Professor Stephanie Mitchell set for her Caribbean History class quickly brought my reading and writing skills up to speed with what’s required for college. By giving relatively longer reading assignments, her goal was to build our skills with synthesizing material and making sense of what we’re reading in a short and condensed manner, a skill that extends far beyond college.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I chose to come to Carthage because I really like the small size of the school. It allowed me to connect with my professors and classmates on a more personal level. The smaller classes make it easier to get involved and really understand the material.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I’m involved in the Carthage Swifties, Pi Theta, and Pi Sigma Epsilon. I’m also a peer coach.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? I’m most proud of running for eboard for Carthage Swifties in my first year. Getting to be the treasurer of the club has taught me valuable skills in managing finances, working with a team, and keeping track of all the behind-the-scenes logistics that are crucial to making everything run smoothly. It’s definitely one of my proudest achievements because it’s a reminder that stepping up to opportunities, even when they feel intimidating, can lead to incredible personal growth.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I chose to come to Carthage because I can commute easily back and forth to campus and my house. It is also a small campus, so getting across campus takes about five to 10 minutes, which is great during the winter. I also get to stay close to my friends and family and get to keep my jobs.
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? My education professor, Lynne Steren, had our class up and at it. She had us interacting with each other, we did fun activities, we went on field trips, and our projects were super easy and fun. She taught us that being a student, a future teacher, and learning can be fun!
What’s been the biggest surprise about your first year of college? The biggest surprise for me was how all over the place my schedule was. It was very hectic and chaotic so I had to do a lot of planning with my calendar, which made it go a lot more smoother so I knew what I had to do for the day.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I’m on the men’s soccer team.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? Led the CCIW in assists in soccer. Also, I help with track meets to help the Carthage community. And, I still had good grades!
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? I would say Professor Annette Duncan. She is one of the best professors. She doesn’t just teach school but also teaches life and cares about her students. She encourages everyone to be the best version of themselves and accepts everyone.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? When starting my college search, I made a list of the top three things I was looking for in a college. My list included the college being located in a big city, having a great accounting program, and being near or on the water. When coming to Carthage for a tour, I realized that Carthage not only checked all the boxes but was even better than I imagined.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? The accomplishment I am most proud of receiving in my first year at Carthage would be the “Game Day Star” award from the cheer team. Every game, members of the cheer team vote on who should be the “Game Day Star” based on who went above and beyond in preparing for game day. It felt wonderful to be acknowledged by my teammates for all the hard work that I put into making game day special for everyone.
What’s been the biggest surprise about your first year of college? The biggest surprise about my first year of college is the amount of support I have received. Without campus resources — like The Aspire Center, the Writing Center, and my success team — I would have been so lost. These resources have helped me to not only thrive in my classes but also prepare me for my future endeavors, like career planning and job interviews.
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? I have felt so supported by Professor Matthew Hougland in my first year. A willingness to fail before you get better is a vulnerable but critical part of this learning process, and Prof. Hougland pushed me to become a better artist and have faith in my ability to succeed in my major.
What class did you take for J-Term? What do you hope to do for future J-Terms? I took a costume lab this past J-Term, as it’s a required class for my major. I experimented with makeup in ways I never have before and learned that I enjoy doing special effects makeup. In the future, I would love to take a trip with Carthage over my J-Term.
What’s been the biggest surprise about your first year of college? I was really surprised at how much you learn about yourself during your first year. As close as I am with my family, I feel that living away from home has taught me a lot about my resilience and ability to make informed decisions for myself and my future. No one has their entire life figured out, but I have more confidence in my ability to work hard for my future than when I started college.
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I really enjoyed the environment and the programs. There were so many opportunities for not only socializing, but also career opportunities offered pretty instantly, as well as renowned faculty.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I’ve participated in the Jazz Club, Rock Climbing Club, and the spring musical “Head Over Heels.”
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? I felt most proud about making third place in a performance competition, as this was a competition I had been working towards the first part of the year, and it felt very good to have that work pay off.
Corinne Nowak ’28
Hometown: Lockport, Ill. Major:Allied Health Science with a concentration in Athletic Training
Why did you choose to come to Carthage? I chose Carthage because I love the lake and I’m close to home while still having some distance. I also have the opportunity to get my master’s degree in five years with the 3+2 Athletic Training Program.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your first year, and why? I’m proud of myself for ending first semester on the Dean’s List with a 4.0. I was nervous I would have difficulty keeping up because of the shift from being away from home, but I kept up my studying and stayed on task, and it was worth it!
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? Professor Laurie Jensen was super helpful regarding my major. I really enjoyed her class, and she presented me with the opportunity to work in the athletic training room, which I love. She also helped me out with my schedule for second semester.
Are you involved in any clubs, orgs, or extracurricular activities? I’m involved in the Line Dancing Club, RLC (Residence Life Council), Psych Club, Special Olympics, and Pi Theta. I started a sign language club. I’m also an athletic communications photographer.
Which professor helped you to succeed during your first year? I had a lot of good professors, but the one who helped me the most was Professor Marla Polley. I had her for Intellectual Foundations class in the fall. She is one of the sweetest people I have met here. We would have discussions about the books and what we had wrote about. She made the class so welcoming and made sure that her students knew each others names, making the class more cohesive.
What class did you take for J-Term? What do you hope to do for future J-Terms? I took a class on campus for my education major, Teaching and Supporting Diverse Learners with Endia Robbins. Every day we would have mini lectures, then we would sometimes do own research on things with groups or we would present previous information we had found on a topic. I am hoping to go to Costa Rica for Photographing Nature and Biodiversity. I think it would be so much fun and a once and a life time experience.
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