Meet Emily
Emily Seratch '19
Major: International Business with a concentration in Finance
Hometown: Hazelton, Pennsylvania
Why Etown: Emily loved growing up in a small town where she attended a private school and graduated in a class of only 43 students. When she was exploring colleges to fit her lifestyle, she moved Elizabethtown from the bottom of her list to the top as soon as she stepped foot on campus and experienced the vibrant college community.
In Her Own Words: “From day one, everyone around campus was smiling and so welcoming. And, it didn’t stop after the first week. I’ve never been a part of a community that embraces everyone for who they are so much. It’s the friendliest place on earth.”
Study-Abroad Experience: Emily studied in China for a semester during her junior year learning and experiencing business relations in a different culture and strengthening her understanding and awareness of others’ beliefs and systems.
Hands-on Internships: Emily gained invaluable opportunities and real-world experience through three internships while at Etown:
- TJ Maxx – Distribution Center
- Clark Associates – Procurement
- Williamstown Theatre Festival
Etown Moment: “All the professors at Elizabethtown College love the material they’re teaching us so it makes the students eager to learn.”
Post-Etown Plans: Emily plans to intern with a law firm this summer. She may apply to law school or combine her passions by pursuing a career in business working for a theatre company.
Etown is … Energetic.
Learn more about the undergraduate program at Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Meet Kurt
Kurt DeGoede – Engineering and Physics Professor
Why Etown: “Elizabethtown College is a loving community. It’s a small enough campus that I know my students individually, but large enough program that I’m able to provide them with the resources they need to be successful in the 21st century.”
Engineering for Strengths: Each student who enrolls in the College’s ‘Intro to Engineering’ class begin with taking the Clifton Strengths Finder exam. Professor DeGoede and his colleagues help their students build on their strengths and mix and match students with different qualities for better collaboration during the learning process. Students have found it useful to better understand themselves and each other when working on group projects.
Fun Fact: Kurt runs 30 to 50 miles per week! He currently mentors the Elizabethtown College’s mens’ cross country team. Kurt has run three marathons—including the Boston Marathon--where he completed it under three hours.
Favorite Foods: Kurt enjoys all types of spicy food. He has spent time in West Africa taking students to explore and discover a new culture. While there, he fell in love with the region’s Tapalapa bread.
Etown is … Supportive.
Meet Holly
Holly Francescone '20
Major: Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economics
Hometown: Cream Ridge, New Jersey
In Her Own Words: “Deciding on a college is a leap of faith. For me, choosing Elizabethtown College was the best decision I’ve ever made. In high school, I was quieter and not involved in my organizations. When I got to Etown I gained self-sufficiency skills, confidence and I’m proud to be a leader making an impact on our campus.”
Clubs/Interests:
- Student Senate: President
- E-Motion: school’s dance club
- Campus Blue Jay tour guide
Fun Fact: Holly is a trained ice skater and began skating at a young age. She still visits area rinks to practice her skills on the ice!
Internship: Through Etown, Holly has been able to secure internships during the summer months with Northwest Mutual as a financial representative to strengthen her skills and understanding of the finance industry.
Post-Etown Plans: After graduation, Holly plans to become a financial planner and pursue a CFP (certified financial planner) certification.
Etown is … Mentorships.
Meet Jorge
Jorge Tirado '21
Major: Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biology/Pre-Med
Hometown:Hazelton, Pennsylvania
Why Etown:Living at a four-year institution was something I wouldn't have imagined a couple of years ago. Financially, Etown made it possible for that dream to become a reality. After visiting the campus, getting a feel for the community, and envisioning a future here, I knew it was the right choice.
In His Own Words: “I wake up every day motivated and inspired to work towards my dreams. Etown has given me a place to do that alongside my closest friends. You will become a family by the end of those four years, so it is important to choose somewhere you will enjoy every second of it.”
Clubs/Interests:
- Choreograph Latin dances for E-motion dance club
- Crusaders for Christ (CRU)
- Intramural soccer, basketball, volleyball
- Playing guitar
- Cut hair
Post-Etown Plans:Jorge plans to apply to medical school and study to become a physician. He also hopes to open a barber shop one day, and return to Peru and help alleviate developmental poverty through service and free clinics.
Etown is … Home.
Meet Haylee
Haylee Kirschner ‘19
Why Etown: Haylee was attracted to Etown to study in its award-winning Occupational Therapy program. During her sophomore year, she decided to take a social work class and fell in love with the career field. She switched her major and has never looked back!
Major: Social Work with minors in Psychology and Theatre
In Her Own Words: “I really like the close-knit community at Etown. The college campus feels like home.”
Clubs/Interests:
- Social work club
- Theatre productions
Internships Haylee participated in three internships while at Etown. Her favorite work experience was with the Leg-Up Farm in York County, Pa. There, she helped youth with disabilities communicate with animals—like a 1,200 pound horse— through equine-assisted therapy. The experience taught Haylee different approaches when working with patients and animals.
Etown Moment: The annual tree lighting ceremony followed with a celebration of hot cocoa and cookies.
Post-Etown Plans: Haylee is applying to graduate programs to obtain her MSW in social work.
Etown is … Flock Together.
Meet Joel
Joel Janisewski, Director of Purposeful Life Pathways and Civic Participation, The Center for Community and Civic Engagement
Creating Purposeful Opportunities: We work toward providing opportunities for all students and staff to expand their participation in service-oriented projects and engagements in local, national, and international environments. It provides our Etown community with purposeful work opportunities and with the ability to develop meaningful relationships with the broader community.
Why Etown: “I enjoy walking around campus and running into a student or colleague and having an unexpected conversation with someone I haven’t seen lately. Etown is all about the people and the connections that are made.”
Currently reading: At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson
Etown is … Connected.
Meet Marissa
Marissa Kopp ‘19
Dual-Major: Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science / Bachelors of Arts in Writing
Why Etown: Marissa was studying at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and transferred to Elizabethtown College during her sophomore year. She was able to bring on all of her college credits to complete two degrees in three years. Marissa will graduate in May 2019 with degrees in Environmental Science and Writing.
In Her Own Words: “Etown provided me a small school environment with the programs I was interested in to take that foundation and apply to PHD programs.”
Etown Moment: When Marissa researched Etown College to transfer her credits, she reached out to both heads of the Environmental Science and Writing departments and received responses in 24 hours. It was the timely and welcoming faculty that impressed her as she was charting out her journey.
Fun Fact: Marissa loves editing and proofing content so much she works part-time at HACC to proof read and edit papers. She also enjoys proofing dissertations in her spare time.
Etown is … Hands-on learning.
Meet Zac
Zac Knapp ‘19
Hometown: West Grove, Pa.
Why Etown:“I actually did not choose Etown at first. I decided to go to West Chester for one semester before transferring to Etown. When I visited my brother at the college, I got the feeling that this campus was home.”
Major: Business Administration
Clubs/Interests:
- Etown Lacrosse team member
- Enjoys snowboarding
- Playing guitar
In His Own Words: “I would tell a prospective student to consider Etown because you get an extremely good education and also gain an experience you would not get at another college. I feel as you grow and learn throughout your Etown career, and you become a better person.”
Hands-on Internships: Zac gained experiential learning experiences through an internship with Enterprise Holdings Management Trainee program.
Post-Etown Plans: Zac plans to find a job within the business industry and eventually pursue law school.
Etown is … beneficial.
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