Stephen Eyman

Anticipated graduation year: 2012

Major: Spanish; International Studies

Hometown: West Lafayette, Ind.

Whitworth activities/clubs: Bonner Leader Program, International Justice Mission, International Club, Latino Student Union

Favorite book: Strength to Love, by Martin Luther King Jr.

Favorite food: Thai food

We'd be surprised to know that… I was held back in preschool. The teacher said I couldn't "focus." Who knew you had to focus in preschool? My theory is that she had it out for me because I couldn't color in between the lines.

Favorite off-campus study program experiencey: The CASP (Central America Study Program) is something you really can't find at other educational institutions. It goes from January until May and includes study in five Central American countries, including unique home stay experiences, diverse topics of study, and brilliant professors in each country. Look this up. I haven't done it yet, so you may think it's a little premature to call it my favorite study program. It's not. Trust me, it's really that good. Also, the Costa Rica study center is new, and it's worth looking into as well, even if you're not a Spanish major.

Best class: I can't narrow it down to just one. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you have the opportunity to take so many exceptional classes. I'll try to narrow it down to just one from each department.

Political Science – Nonviolent Defense and Conflict Resolution, taught by John Yoder.

Theology/Peace Studies – Biblical Themes of Shalom, taught by Terry McGonigal.

These two classes had a profound impact on my perspective of the world and the hope I have for peace in the midst of all the chaos. My life would be different if I had not taken these classes.

As for my favorite Spanish Class: Intensive Oral Spanish 330. This Jan Term class is spent reconnecting with your childhood: doing arts and crafts, watching movies, and just making friends in general…but doing it in another language. This class is both absurdly fun and incredibly helpful. Also, the literature classes in the Spanish department are top notch.

Favorite residence hall: Who are we? We are the Baldwin brotherhood. Forever the brotherhood shall endure. Imagine having 150 of your closest friends live in the same building for an entire year. The only downside is spending the next three years wishing you'd never left BJ.

Why I chose to attend Whitworth: I chose to attend Whitworth for strictly financial reasons. The financial aid program here made it the best choice possible at the time. When I got here, I realized how incredible the programs are and the true level of interaction and learning that goes on with the professors that is different from most schools. I am grateful I didn't find another school that I deemed a better financial decision.

Advice for incoming students: College is a time when you really get the chance to build relationships and be exposed to unique and diverse perspectives. Don't allow yourself to spend all your time in one friend group, with people identical to those you knew in high school, or alone studying in the library. Branch out, meet people from all over the world and from different ideological backgrounds, and take the time to build relationships with them. This has the potential to give you so much more depth and understanding as a person.

How Whitworth is preparing me for graduate school or a career: I may have been here several years already, but that doesn't mean I know exactly what I want to do over the remainder of my life. This isn't something educational institutions can force you to decide, and they shouldn't try to. Whitworth gives you so much more than just career options; it helps you develop the intellectual strength, integrity, and motivation necessary to make the decisions that will lead you to a truly satisfying vocation.