printer-friendly
Cassidy McFadden
Hometown: Elgin, Illinois
Class of 2012
What’s your major? Why did you choose it?
I’m a double major in English and Psychology. I’ve been interested in words and people for as long as I can remember, and I’ve found particular resonances with faculty here. My current philosophy is to study what I love and see where it takes me; my “life plan” is more vague than my current senior seminar plan.
What brought you to Bethel?
The psychology department. A friend was convinced I’d love it, and I visited to humor him. And then I met Paul Lewis. He greeted me with a book list and intriguing conversation, and I discovered similarities in our interests. My next visit included an (unexpected) interview for a science scholarship and the rest, as they say, is history.
What activities have you been involved in?
I’ve been on the newspaper staff for as long as has been possible (it was among my questions during college visits), and I’ve recently found myself heading up the Environmental Action Club. With two jobs, two majors, and music in addition, I have plenty to keep me busy.
How are you different now from when you first arrived on campus?
I’m much more confident. I was confident when I got here, but not in this community. It’s a very tight-knit group, all around, and as a non-Mennonite (though only technically) who wasn’t from Kansas, I ended up following my roommate around for the first few weeks. Okay, let’s be honest: the first few months. It’s a good thing we get along! I think I’ve found a place here.
For what are you most proud of Bethel?
I’m most proud of our active stance of peace and justice, ranging from abolishing the death penalty to attending the School of the Americas protest in Fort Benning, GA, to our interaction with the mentally ill in the community (through the psychology department). I’ve always been the minority in my school in regards to social and environmental justice, and it’s been nice to find ready agreement amongst the student body and the faculty.
How would you like to see Bethel change or improve in the next five years?
I’d like to see more happen with our grand ideas of interdisciplinary study. As a double major, I’m planning some rather large undertakings for my (very future) seminar that are a melding of my interests, and I wish there were a way, without requiring it as a GE, that we could encourage this kind of cross-over in more fields. I think so many fields are holding key pieces of information for other fields, and if we could communicate those, we’d all be more productive. I’ve also heard word of our campus striving to be more sustainable and more of a work-study college (wherein students are required to work in a department on campus–more like in a garden or something than in the Alumni office) in coming years, and I love both of those ideas.
What has been your favorite course so far, and why?
Oh, it’s a toss-up. I love all my English classes, but I also love my psychology classes! I’m currently in biopsychology and health, and it’s surprised me by ensnaring my love of the brain and the biochemical and mixing in my love of more applied psychology. In the English department, I’ve taken American Lit, and I’m now onto English Lit, and they’re both excellent, though if I had to choose a favorite English class, it would probably be the poetry workshop from spring semester last year. The emphasis on a few poets, the small class size, and the sheer amount of writing that went into that class were wonderful.
Tell a quick story about a memorable moment from your Bethel days.
I’m only in my second year, but I’ve been pretty tied up in both of my Fall Fests so far. Seeing the festival from beginning to end this year has been really fun. It’s nice to know that as an alumni, students will be working hard so I can have a great homecoming too!
What does it mean to be a Thresher?
The combination of community, service, and academics are what stand out to me about Threshers. With small classes, attentive professors, and the focus on service that comes from attending a small, faith-based college, we as students get the opportunity to excel in multiple areas–and to learn how to balance school and activities and fun. It’s a challenge, but a worthy one!