at Elizabethtown College

Molded by a commitment to Educate for Service, Elizabethtown College is a community of learners dedicated to educating students intellectually, socially, aesthetically and ethically for lives of service and leadership as citizens of the world.

BLUE JAY AMBASSADOR

Abdullah (AJ) Ata '12 is educating Elizabethtown students and the local community about the Iraqi culture.

As the first Middle Easterner many have met, I am honored and privileged to be an ambassador of my country, Iraq. I'm trying to build a bridge of understanding between Iraq and the United States. Elizabethtown has given me opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone.

WINDS OF CHANGE

Michael Behounek '11 found flexibility and encouragement to shape his future.

I came to Elizabethtown to major in biology and play a sport. I'm leaving a business major and a Student Senate leader. Elizabethtown showed me it was okay to change direction and do things I would have never thought. E-town challenged me to redefine my direction.

HAMMERING HOME LEADERSHIP

Katie Bornholdt '11 is developing important skills in her leadership roles in student organizations, including Habitat for Humanity.

My participation in student activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, has helped me come out of my shell and become a strong, confident leader. I have learned the value of patience and developed organizational skills—all important to my future career.

EDUCACION INTERNACIONAL

Sara Brown '11 interned at a Mexico City rehabilitation center that provides affordable care to children.

Through an Honors Program Academic grant, I worked with children who have never had access to medical care. Experiencing another health care model allowed me to question my own views and create goals for the service I will deliver to my clients.

A SCENT OF ROMANCE

Megan Casey '11 is conducting an ambitious honors project with the guidance of Dr. Suzanne Webster, her faculty mentor.

I'm living and breathing Nature poetry as I do a comparative analysis of four works that were important in the development of a 'new Romantic' epic in British Literature around the 18th century. Through this experience, I've learned that anything is possible if you take a leap of faith and zoom full speed ahead.

LEARNING ACCELERATED

Michael Cheung '13, by testing out of Calculus II and Discrete Mathematics, is squeezing in a prestigious internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

At Elizabethtown, I have the freedom to teach myself the material at my own pace. As I work full time at Los Alamos National Laboratory, I will make use of my unconventional learning style to stay on track for my majors in mathematics, physics and computer science.

BEYOND THE EXPECTED

Allan Craven '11 applied his business know-how during an internship with a nonprofit in Quito, Ecuador.

Elizabethtown prepared me well for this experience. I was well-educated in the theory of cellular and molecular mechanisms pertinent to such work. Rather than rote memorization, the Biology Department emphasizes the application of knowledge, which is essential in the world of science.

AMONG SAINTS

Sean Duetsch '12 created a documentary while rebuilding hurricane-damaged homes in Louisiana.

It has always been a dream of mine to make a documentary. This was the perfect opportunity to use my Elizabethtown College education and apply it in the real world. I gained valuable production experience and learned how hard I could push myself to achieve my goals.

FINDING A NEW VOICE

Brad Eargle '11 Is mastering his composition skills with the help of Dr. James Haines, his faculty mentor.

I've wanted to write my own music for a long time. Dr. Haines helped to make my composition process seamless. I've seen amazing improvement in my work; I've gained a new voice as a musician and can express my ideas in ways that can be shared with anyone, anywhere.

A CAREER EXPEDITION

Ryan Follweiler '11 turned his hobby into an entrepreneurial business and took a photography tour through South America in 2010.

I didn't know what I wanted to do after college. Melissa Fitzgerald in Career Services met with me countless times. I've now decided that professional photography is what I want to do, and I'm figuring out how to apply what I've learned to my future business.

APPLIED KNOW-HOW

John Fuesler '11 investigated the efficacy of a chemotherapeutic drug during an internship at the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Elizabethtown prepared me well for this experience. I had already performed some of the laboratory techniques that I used during my internship. Additionally, I was well-educated in the theory of cellular and molecular mechanisms pertinent to such work. Rather than rote memorization, the Biology Department emphasizes the application of knowledge, which is essential in the world of science.

JUGGLING BALLS

Cameron Gettel '11, Academic and Soccer All American, is juggling balls on and off the field.

In being a committee chair for Colleges Against Cancer and captain of the soccer team, I have learned to be an effective leader. These extracurricular activities have been a blessing in disguise. They have forced me to manage my time better and become more organized by balancing my commitments with my schoolwork.

HATS OFF TO THE TROOPS

Caitlin Hitchens '11 is supporting U.S. troops serving overseas by volunteering with Soldiers' Angels and through Operation: Santa Hat, a campus-wide initiative that she created.

I've always been interested in supporting the troops, but never imagined being able to adopt 200 service members at one time. In creating Operation: Santa Hat, I have found ways to give back to those who make so many sacrifices for us.

THE REAL WORLD OF E-TOWN

Caitlin Koller '11 was selected from a pool of 10,000 applicants to intern at MTV.

I was so surprised to be selected as one of MTV's interns! The people I worked with were impressed with how much I knew, and I have Elizabethtown to thank for that. The supportive environment here has really helped me become more confident and comfortable in taking the initiative and trying new things.

A WORLD OF ENTHUSIASM

Min Han Tun '13 participated in the Global Changemaker Guildford Forum, which develops and supports the activism of young talent

I will never forget the level of motivation and passion of the people I met. We came from different countries, all with a common purpose of serving people in need and making the world a better place. The enthusiasm and teamwork we shared fueled our work.

BEHIND THE SEARCH BAR

Morgan Nebbia '11 is applying her history major as she catalogues 100-year-old documents from a Brethren Missionary from China.

For many, trying to find a primary source is nothing more than typing keywords in a search bar and getting the desired results. Yet, what makes it so effortless is the labor of those behind the scenes. Knowing that I helped make a small piece of the past accessible is a great feeling.