Each year, the Office of Admission hires a select group of seniors as interns. We conduct most of the on-campus interviews during the fall, when Colgate's admission officers are on the road meeting high school students and their parents.
We're excited to meet you during your campus visit and to hear about your high school accomplishments and your hopes for the next four years. To learn more about us and why we chose Colgate, please see our photos and biographies below:
Terica Adams Lauren Checo Hannah Guy
Eli Heller Monica Hernandez Molly Kunzman
Dorien Langezaal Emily Malugen Samantha Myers Pete Stein
Terica Adams
tadams@colgate.edu
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
High school: James W. Robinson Secondary School
Majors: International relations and psychology
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Office of Admission, tour guide and multicultural intern
· ALANA Student Recognition Award
· Alternative winter break, New Orleans
· Caribbean Students Association, choreographer and senior adviser
· Colgate Ballet Company
· Konosioni Senior Honor Society
· The Network, leader
Why did you choose Colgate?
When I started my college search, Colgate wasn’t initially on my list of schools. However, when I signed up for the mailing list and started receiving more information, I was hooked. For me, the colors of Colgate’s brochures and mailings displayed a vibrant environment full of excitement and endless possibilities. I was also impressed by the personalized mailings. I instantly felt connected to a strong and welcoming community. The small size reassured me that I would be able to form strong relationships with many people on campus while having access to world-class professors, top-notch academics, and unique opportunities. The Liberal Arts Curriculum was also one of the deciding factors; it meant I would receive a holistic and well-rounded education.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
My junior year, I took Environmental Studies 334: Alternative Energy and Mitigation of Global Warming. This was an extended study course that included a trip to Norway for three weeks during the summer. Global warming has always been an area of interest of mine, and the class exposed me to different options for and feasibility of alternative energy. The trip to Norway afterwards was incredible as well. It helped to cement many of the things I had learned in class and I was able see some of the technologies in person. I was also able to travel and discover a new country that I never thought I would have visited.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
Although I have had many great experiences at Colgate, one of the best would be my trip to New Orleans with the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE). After Hurricane Katrina, I had always wanted to go to New Orleans to help with the reconstruction efforts. It wasn’t until last year that I was actually able to fulfill this long-time ambition. It was an amazing experience as well as a humbling one. By the end of the trip, we had completely repainted the exterior of a house that had severe wind damage. Although the trip consisted of uncharacteristically cold weather and long days, it was one of my most rewarding experiences.
Lauren Checo lcheco@colgate.edu Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
High school: Notre Dame School
Majors: English, classics minor
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Masque and Triangle, president
· Office of Residential Life, community coordinator
· Delta Delta Delta sorority · Greek Life Advisory Council, Delta Delta Delta representative
· Office of Admission, tour guide
· London English Study Group, spring 2011
Why did you choose Colgate?
My first visit to Colgate was interesting to say the least. Colgate was the last university I visited after an extensive tour of eleven schools in four days. Even though I was physically tired and slightly sleep-deprived, I loved Colgate. My first thought was, obviously, that the campus was beautiful. The rest of my visit to Colgate was filled with great memories. I was impressed with the established relationships between the students and professors. I liked how each student was passionate about their activities inside and outside the classroom. Lastly, I loved Colgate’s location. Because I am from New York City, I liked that I was just far enough from home to feel that I had found my own niche. If the occasion ever arose where I needed to go home, I could easily get there.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
My most memorable academic experience was my first-year seminar, Writing Across the Disciplines. I had no idea what was expected of me in terms of my writing for college. This class has helped me in multiple ways. My writing reached a level I never thought possible. My professor helped me with the difficult transition from high school into college. She was also instrumental in helping me choose English as my major. To this day I still keep in touch with my professor. The friends I met in this class are friends that have stayed with me for the past three years. The writing skills that I developed in this class have been a great help to me during my Colgate career.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
My favorite out-of-class experience happened during the spring semester of my junior year on Colgate’s London study group. London is home to many literary legends that have had an enormous effect on my life and my reasons behind wanting to become an English major. As a group, we traveled to many famous literary sites such as Canterbury and Bath. Every site was inspiring and possibly had two thousand years of history attached.
It was a fantastic experience to live in a foreign city and live on my own. I was able to meet people I would never have met at Colgate and immerse myself in a culture that is so different from my own. It was extremely challenging as an only child to be away from my family, but in the end it was an equally rewarding experience. The experiences I had in London will stay with me always.
Hannah Guy hguy@colgate.edu Hometown: Binghamton, N.Y.
High school: Binghamton High School
Majors: English and sociology Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· The Colgate Maroon-News, managing editor
· London English Study Group, spring 2011
· Dean’s List
· Office of Admission, tour guide
· The Letter Project, advertisement chair
· Student Musical Theater Company
Why did you choose Colgate?
Colgate was one of the first colleges that I looked at in my junior year of high school and none of the schools I looked at after could quite measure up. The deciding factor for me was definitely the people at Colgate. Everyone I met and talked to while making my decision was so enthusiastic about the school that I felt a real pull towards it. It’s not just the students either; professors, alumni, and parents of students all had amazing things to say about the school. That sense of community really made me feel at home and I knew that Colgate was the place for me.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
Studying abroad in London in the spring of my junior year was an absolutely amazing experience. It was the perfect marriage of in-class learning and real cultural experiences. Every week we went to the theatre, museums, and historical sites around London and Great Britain. We really got to know London and that made our learning mean so much more. To be able to read a novel and know all the connotations of the neighborhood in which it is set truly adds to the meaning of it. To experience all this while still enjoying small Colgate classes structured around smart, lively discussion made it the perfect study abroad experience.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
Being a part of The Colgate Maroon-News has been one of my favorite experiences. Not only has it introduced me to people across campus, but it has also put me in direct contact with the thoughts and opinions of the student body. As a member of the editorial staff, I tend to hear news before it reaches the rest of the student body and this keeps me well informed about campus issues.
At a time when print media is struggling, students never fail to pick up a copy of the Maroon-News, just as they have for the past hundred years. I love being a part of something that is such an important element of Colgate’s legacy.
Eli Heller
eheller@colgate.edu
Hometown: Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.
High school: The Chadwick School
Major: English, political science minor
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Beta Theta Pi fraternity, president, recruitment chair, and social chair
· Colgate club lacrosse
· Dean’s List
· Phi Eta Sigma (national first-year honor society)
Why did you choose Colgate?
I chose Colgate the second I set foot on campus for my April visit. I had visited many schools in Southern California and had never felt comfortable with the large class sizes and enormous campuses; however, as I walked around Colgate, I quickly understood the importance of community and the level of happiness of the students. I saw students walking to class and saying hello to everyone they passed as well as people playing sports and hanging out on the Quad. Coming from a very small high school, I could tell that the size of the Colgate student body and the immensely close-knit community would be a perfect fit for me. This special community and the genuine enthusiasm, excitement, and happiness of all the students I interacted with immediately proved to me that Colgate was the school I had been looking for.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
The best academic experience I have had at Colgate occurred during my very first semester at Colgate. As an English major with a political science minor, I knew that my academic strengths fell outside of math and science; however, I made a decision to take an introductory psychology course. After talking to some older students, I realized that this class would be incredibly challenging, especially considering my limited science background. These factors motivated me to work incredibly hard in this class. I met with my professors often and participated in study groups with other students in the class. This experience taught me to trust and utilize the support and helpfulness of Colgate professors, as well as the importance of working with my peers and friends. I learned a great deal from this course and recognized the great academic resources that Colgate has to offer.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
As president, recruitment chair, and social chair of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, I have gained incredible leadership experience as well as important connections to Colgate administrators and fellow students. As recruitment chair, I had the opportunity to meet underclassmen and help them learn about Greek life at Colgate. As president, I work closely with other fraternity and sorority presidents, as well as Colgate administrators to ensure the positive growth of Greek life on campus. Through philanthropic and social events, we aim to improve the Colgate community as a whole. I have also interacted with many other campus organizations when organizing philanthropic and social events. These experiences have connected me with people from all parts of this community and have added tremendously to my years at Colgate.
Monica Hernandez mdhernandez@colgate.edu Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif.
High school: Montgomery High School
Major: Environmental economics, Spanish minor
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Student Government Association, class senator
· Gamma Phi Beta sorority, president
· Colgate Panhellenic Council, vice president of recruitment
· National Coalition Building Institute
· Women’s club soccer
· VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program
· Office of Admission, tour guide and student illustrator
Why did you choose Colgate?
I had never heard of Colgate up until about a month before I visited it in my senior year of high school, but after my visit I fell in love with it. During my stay, it became evident that there was a true sense of community on campus between the students, faculty and the town. Several of my friends from home asked, “How can you go to a school with less than 3,000 students in a town with even fewer people?” My reply was, “That is one of the exact reasons why I chose Colgate.”
Everything here revolves around the Colgate community and people love being here. At Colgate you are able to form lasting relationships with faculty members, there are traditions that have been passed down for decades, students are active and involved, there are great academics and you truly become a part of a larger community. This is exactly what I was looking for in a university.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
During my time at Colgate two of my favorite classes have been a part of the Liberal Arts Core curriculum—Legacies of the Ancient World and Challenges of Modernity. As someone who came to Colgate thinking they would be a science major and is now an environmental economics major, taking classics and philosophy classes was never something I would have chosen to do on my own but I am happy these two classes were incorporated into my academic experience. These classes opened my eyes to ancient texts and philosophers that I had never studied before and they made me a more well-rounded student. After taking these two courses I have continued to challenge myself by venturing out of my comfort zone and taking classes in more disciplines that I had never studied before.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
Participating in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program has been one of the most rewarding activities I have experienced while at Colgate. Not only am I now certified to prepare basic tax returns but it has also given me to opportunity to truly give back to the community. I have been able to sit down with many families during the tax season and have heard their stories and learned more about life outside of Colgate in Central New York. At the end of each session it is so rewarding to see the impact that the free services of VITA have on the lives of the families in the area.
Molly Kunzman mkunzman@colgate.edu Hometown: Tewksbury, N.J.
High school: Kent Place School
Major: History
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Women’s club rugby
· Student Global AIDS Campaign, co-leader & events planning committee
· Gamma Phi Beta sorority, administrative vice president
· Greek Life Advisory Council, alternate delegate
· Annual Fund, student caller
· Volcanology Field Work Trip, Ecuador, spring break 2010
· London History Study Group, spring 2011
· Office of Admission, tour guide, greeter, and student illustrator
· Dean’s List
Why did you choose Colgate?
I chose Colgate because as soon as I stepped on campus I could feel how excited the students were to be there. The more people I met, the clearer it became that this was the place I was meant to be for the next four years. Colgate students are motivated, creative, passionate, and dedicated and the more time I spend here the more I realize how true this really is.
The Liberal Arts Core Curriculum provides more than a wide range of classes. Students are inspired to develop their intellectual curiosity and look at the world with a more holistic view. When I speak with alumni—proudly sporting Colgate t-shirts and hats—it’s obvious how instrumental their Colgate education was in their life. While I may have had an inkling of this on my first trip to campus, the pride that Colgate students take in both their school and their education came across loud and clear.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
In the spring of my junior year I participated in the London History Study Group. In addition to living in London and traveling around Europe I spent the semester doing original research in the British Archives, a rare opportunity for undergraduates. After spending the fall semester doing secondary research I arrived in London nervous but excited to embark on the project. In addition to using the extensive Colgate University library I was also able to use the British National Archives and the manuscript collections at the British Library. This gave me a new perspective on my research topic. As I sat down with boxes of manuscripts I realized I was doing exactly what the authors of all the books I had been reading had done. My primary sources were not scanned or summarized documents I found online, I was actually able to hold and read original correspondence letters. It was challenging but by the end of the semester I proudly turned in my first forty-three page historical research paper. What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
The summer before my junior year I got an internship through Colgate’s Upstate Institute. The Upstate Institute matches about twenty students each summer with non-profits in the community. I spent the summer living in Hamilton and working for the Agricultural Economic Development Program for Madison County. Through this internship I learned practical skills, like how to write a press release and organize a fundraising event, and I also had the opportunity to get to know the people who live and work in Madison County. I was able to work with the people who help keep our community running. This internship allowed me to connect with the people not just in Hamilton, but also all over the county.
Dorien Langezaal
dlangezaal@colgate.edu
Hometown: New Providence, N.J.
High school: New Providence High School
Major: Psychology
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Sidekicks, leader and mentor
· Gamma Phi Beta sorority, assistant new member educator
· Office of Admission, tour guide
· Department of Psychology, research assistant
· Outreach, first-year pre-orientation leader
· Leiden, The Netherlands Study Group, spring 2011
· Psi Chi (international psychology honor society)
· Gamma Sigma Alpha (national Greek honor society)
· Phi Eta Sigma (national first-year honor society)
Why did you choose Colgate?
Many people will tell you that they instantly felt a connection when they found their perfect school. That was not the case for me during my college search. I compared the numbers, memorized the websites, and fretted for hours about possibly the most momentous decision of my life. Finally as the deadline approached, I turned off my chaotic mind for just a moment and imagined myself in college. Eventually, Colgate emerged as the school of my dreams.
Looking back, it should have been an easier decision for me. Colgate’s cherished traditions, esteemed academic reputation, and caring community made the University feel like my second home.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
When I received my acceptance letter from Colgate, initially I was nervous about the academic demands of my classes. I had always been at the top of my class in high school; however, what if that wasn’t enough for college? I panicked when I had to write my first college-level history paper. Unfortunately, the poor grade I received reflected my initial anxiety. When it came time for me to write my second paper, I decided to seek out on-campus resources. I met with my professor during his office hours to review the assignment and discuss his expectations. I also scheduled two appointments at the Writing Center. From this experience, I learned how to effectively organize a paper and that it is okay to ask for help.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
My favorite out-of-class experience occurs every year before classes actually start, through the Outreach program. Outreach is a pre-orientation program for first-year students interested in community service initiatives at Colgate. I participated in this activity as a first-year student, and I currently serve as a group leader. I remember my first day at Colgate—so excited, overwhelmed, and also slightly terrified by the idea of starting college. Outreach provided the perfect opportunity for me to meet my new classmates in a comfortable and less-intimidating setting. It has been three years since my first day at Outreach, and I am still close friends with many of the students I met there.
Emily Malugen
ecmalugen@colgate.edu
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
High school: Mary Institute Country Day School
Major: Psychology
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Kelberman Center for Autistic Children, intern
· Camp Fiver, mentor
· Gamma Phi Beta sorority, panhellenic affairs vice president
· Panhellenic Council, vice president and vice president of finance
· Office of Admission, tour guide, greeter, and host
Why did you choose Colgate?
I chose Colgate for a number of reasons; one of the most important being Colgate’s reputation for academic excellence. The class size and one-on-one attention that I have received from professors has enhanced my academic experience at Colgate. The ability to develop personal relationships with my professors has added to the unique and empowering aspect of my college experience.
Another reason I chose Colgate was because of the diverse interests and ideas of the student body. The number of student groups, activities, and events that multiple undergraduates pursue is staggering. I found this level of engagement appealing.
Lastly, the network of support established for the student body was something that really set Colgate apart from other schools. The academic and career services advisers are exceptional, and have each been instrumental in my success at Colgate.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
My most meaningful academic experience at Colgate involves an independent study, taken my second semester of junior year. This opportunity involved learning about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) through several texts and psychological journals. I also served as an intern at the Kelberman Center in Utica — a center for children with ASD. The independent study was an incredibly rewarding experience, as it developed my understanding of ASD and provided me with an opportunity to work closely with children. I took what I learned in the classroom and directly applied it to my work with the kids, specifically developing their social skills with me and with each other. This experience was influential in helping me select a possible career path.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
The best out-of-class experience that I have had at Colgate was the internship at the Kelberman Center. As an intern, I built long-lasting relationships with the most amazing kids. The connections made were truly incredible. The opportunity to work alongside other Colgate students enhanced this experience. Student collaboration proved to increase the significance of the internship for me.
Samantha Myers
smyers@students.colgate.edu
Hometown: Bedford, N.H.
High school: Manchester West High School
Major: Religion
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· Link Staff, intern
· Women’s club soccer, captain
· Gamma Phi Beta sorority, activities chairwoman
· Konosioni Senior Honor Society
· Alpine Ski Team
· Phi Eta Sigma (national first-year honor society), secretary
· Office of Admission, host and greeter
· Scotland Study Group, spring 2011
Why did you choose Colgate?
My first glimpse of life at Colgate was during a reception for accepted students in Boston. I remember being immediately drawn to Colgate after hearing the students speak so highly of it. When I stepped on campus for my visit, I began to understand why they loved it. Colgate’s beautiful rolling hills, intimate college-town setting, rigorous curriculum, and well-maintained sense of tradition were all important factors for me. The students are not only smart and motivated, but are some of the friendliest people I have encountered. Our conversations revealed an intense sense of community between the students, staff, and faculty.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
In the spring of my sophomore year, I took a class on the Protestant Reformation. I wasn’t necessarily looking forward to it because I had heard the professor was extremely tough and I was worried the material would be dry. It soon became one of my favorite classes at Colgate. I grew to admire Professor Sindima for his depth of knowledge and inspiring character. At one point during the semester, I scheduled a meeting with him to discuss a paper assignment worth a significant portion of my grade. After showing him a draft and discussing it with him, I realized I had to change the thesis of my paper—cutting more than half of my hard work; however I felt rejuvenated by Professor Sindima’s support. He taught me how rewarding hard work can be. I saw firsthand that by putting extra effort into a class, you can really gain knowledge and experience beyond the simple facts.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
Many students wonder what Hamilton, N.Y. is like in the summer when most of the students are away from campus. I had the opportunity to find out for myself the summer after my sophomore year, through an internship experience with the Dean of First-Year Students. It turned out to be one of my favorite summers. I connected with staff and faculty members from all over campus; I learned how much time and energy goes into making sure the university runs smoothly. Seeing different offices like document services, mail services, and buildings and grounds working together in order to deliver a proper education for students was eye-opening. It was so easy to get caught up in life as a student without realizing the work behind the scenes. Also, I felt connected to the town itself by attending the farmer’s markets and watching the Fourth of July parade. That summer provided me with such a valuable experience that encouraged me see Colgate in a different light and value it even more.
Pete Stein
pstein@colgate.edu
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.
High school: Winchester High School
Majors: International relations
Activities, leadership positions, honors, and awards:
· International Relations Council, president
· Konosioni Senior Honor Society
· Class of 2012 Council, class president
· Link staff
· VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program
· Phi Kappa Tau fraternity
· Geneva, Switzerland Study Group, spring 2011
· Gamma Sigma Alpha (national Greek honor society)
· Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honor society)
Why did you choose Colgate?
When you step on to the campus you immediately feel the vibrant energy of the community and genuine passion the students and faculty have for this university. I was so impressed with the variety of students and faculty that I met who shared an equal appreciation for the school, its traditions, the community and the opportunities Colgate has to offer. As I learned about Colgate’s off-campus study program, the overwhelming number of student groups, and intramural and outdoor sports offered, I realized that I could enjoy four dynamic and enriching years on this beautiful campus.
Academically, I was also drawn to the core curriculum, which provides a unique liberal-arts framework that I knew would not only help focus my academic interests, but allow me to engage in multi-disciplinary coursework. Furthermore, as I talked with Colgate alumni about my decision, their excitement and investment in my choice showed me that the Colgate connection would last far beyond my time on campus.
What is the best academic experience you have had at Colgate?
One of my best academic experiences was a 300-level history course I took the fall of my junior year–U.S. Foreign Policy from 1776-1914. It was fascinating to learn about the foundations upon which our nation has built its international diplomatic outlook as well as read firsthand accounts of some of the most important historical events that have shaped U.S. foreign policy. We were required to write a twenty-five page research paper on a topic of our choosing, and my professor was extremely helpful in guiding my research and narrowing my topic. I ultimately wrote about Thomas Jefferson’s response to the Haitian slave revolt in the 1790s and the role slavery in the U.S. played in dictating his reactionary policies. My professor, one of the most well-read people I have come across, provided me with so many fascinating suggestions for primary sources. It was a very gratifying process to understand my topic from such a personal level as I read accounts from the Jefferson and Madison papers, but I also gained an appreciation for high-level analysis from secondary sources.
What is the best out-of-class experience you have had at Colgate?
My best out-of-class experience was Colgate’s Geneva, Switzerland study group. I was fortunate to visit 14 countries and about 30 cities during that semester. Our program was very unique as we first started out with a French immersion program in southern France. Then we studied in Geneva for three months taking courses on European security, nationalism, and international organizations. In the last month, we each were paired with an NGO or international organization for an internship opportunity. I worked for the International Emissions Trading Alliance, where I learned about the fundamental principles and challenges of cap and trade policy and also assisted in preparation for the world-wide Carbon Expo in Barcelona. My abroad experience greatly expanded my perspective of other societies and made me realize the complex nature of international relations.