Left: August 18th, 2012: One of my first days at Wabash
Right: May 2nd, 2013: One of my final days at Wabash

You stay classy, Crawfordsville.

Joey Weisenritter ’16

As unbelievable as it is, I have finally reached the end of my freshman year here at Wabash College. It is surreal, and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet! And with the end of my freshman year comes the end of my time as a Freshman Blogger. I’ve done what I can this year; I hope I’ve made you laugh, made you think a little bit, and most importantly given you a personal view into the life of a Wabash student. I hope I’ve kept you entertained as well! To those of you who have followed me from the beginning, thanks for your support! I’d like to thank Howard Hewitt, Kim Johnson, and Chip Timmons for the opportunity to blog, and even more importantly for their invaluable support this year (and for Chip’s unfailing patience with my inability to turn in my ESH hours on time). It has truly been a pleasure to use my words to build a connection with so many people.

So for the last time, Wallies,

Hugs Not Drugs,

E.L.E.,

And WAF,

this is Nathan Bode for Wabash College signing off.

April 28, 2013

Holy moly! I’m a sophomore. It’s been a really quick year. I don’t really feel like a sophomore. However, I have noticed that some things about me have changed. It’s been a wild ride, and I feel like I have grown as a person.  I’ve grown in a lot of ways.

First of all, I’m a lot more organized. I have everything organized and put together in separate areas where I know where everything is. Everything has an area. I’ve never been OCD in my life, but I am pretty sure that Wabash turned me into an obsessive academic organizer. I consider this a plus.

Secondly, I’m a lot more interested in studying. I’m not trying to say that I wasn’t before, but I used to view some studying as a chore and a bore. Now, I actually enjoy going over my notes. Not only does it make me feel committed, but it is actually interesting reading. I don’t have to force myself to look over notes or do work I am not interested in. I just do it without even thinking about it as a negative anymore. That is kind of liberating.

Thirdly, my mind feels a lot sharper. I have gained a lot more knowledge in many different areas, and I feel that I can contribute to more conversations and provide more insight into things now then I could when I got here. It’s really nice as well.

Finally, I feel more confident. After getting out on my own and already being pretty confident, this has proven to me, as well as my family, that I can survive quite well on my own. My mom and dad got over the “Freshman Worries” pretty quick. I have to admit I didn’t really expect them to. However, after handling my own problems this year, I can understand why they didn’t worry.

A lot of things have changed in one year. I can only imagine what will happen in 3 more. Well, I am off to some well-deserved Finals Week sleep. Have a great rest of the week my friends. We will talk soon. In the meantime, enjoy every sandwich

Expectation Number 1: Wabash is for REALLY smart people.

This is what caught my attention right off the bat. I was introduced to Wabash when Spencer Burk ’14, and Mt. Vernon alumnus, was applying to attend Wabash during his senior year at MV. After checking some of the statistics behind Wabash, I realized that it scored much, much higher all across the board than any other colleges of its size, and many that were much bigger. I decided that if I was going to attend a small school, it would be Wabash. So was I right? Yes and no. Honestly, I have met some DUDS at Wabash. Only time will tell if they make it here or not. However, I have also met some of the brightest students you can imagine, and they have excelled at Wabash. And at the same time, I also feel like I can excel here, and really learn. So academically speaking, Wabash has met my expectations so far.

Expectation Number 2: Everybody Will Know Everybody

From what I heard from alumni, current students, and professors, Wabash formed a community that was pretty exclusive, and once you were a part of it…you were a PART of it. With a student population hovering right around 1000, it is impossible to walk from one end of campus to the other without seeing someone that I know. And I like that. I know that that’s not for everyone, but I have loved it, and I think that’s what makes Wabash so great. The connections you can build here are as important as everyone said. You never know who that kid I just met at Arnie’s (really) will be connected to. Maybe they’ll hire me some day! Not to mention that if you’re a people person like me, it makes living here a lot more fun when you can find friends everywhere you go. On such a small campus, it is easier for students who want to distinguish themselves to do so. Becoming a real leader in clubs and other campus activities is much easier at Wabash than at a school of a larger size, so the opportunities here are available to a wider variety of students. So that’s nice.

Expectation Number 3: Professors Actually Care

I may be biased here, because my first professor at Wabash, and my adviser, was Dr. Hoerl. I’m not sure you can find a professor more dedicated to her students than Dr. Hoerl. From cooking us a homemade Venetian meal to committing all of her advisee’s birthdays to memory, Dr. Hoerl truly cares about her students at Wabash. And almost every professor I’ve had has been more or less as exceptional. Professors here do not let hard work go unnoticed, and that’s a key reason for why I chose Wabash. I truly believed that if I put in the effort here, I could succeed. This blog is getting a little lengthy, so I need to wrap it up. But to any prospective students out there, I hope this gives you a little more insight into my decision to pursue a college education in Crawfordsville.

Good luck at finals, Wallies!

Bode

Whoa. It’s here my friends. The very last weekend of my freshman year has finally arrived. You want to talk about time travel? Well, that’s how I feel right now. Although, I have to admit, a lot of things have changed about me this year. I’ll list just a few.

First, I’ve changed my style of thought. I’ve always questioned things, but now I’m even less afraid of not towing the party line. I now know how to form an effective argument in the Western linear style of debate and narrowly focus my thought. I now know when to be the sledgehammer and when to be the scalpel. I still suck at picking my battles, and I still am much too worried about my principles, but I now know how to defend them accurately and actually express my argument eloquently and leave no loose ends.

Secondly, I have become a bit of a firebrand. I love playing Devil’s advocate in conversations. I love taking the exact opposite side and then finally making people see the one-sidedness of what they are saying. I don’t necessarily enjoy making people angry, but I believe it is important to occasionally slap people to wake them up. I now know how to pick the alternate route in conversations and present it in a way that both provokes new discussion, and excites new avenues of thought in others.

Finally, I have grown as a person. I have actually had my mind grow a lot. I have learned to appreciate many new aspects of intellectual pursuits. I have grown from being black and white on everything to truly living and breathing in the grey area. I question everything and in so doing, I strengthen my faith in everything that I believe. I have developed an increased hunger for answers far and above the massive hunger for answers and knowledge that I already had.

Well, as you all can see, I have grown. I am sure that you have all changed as well over the course of this year. However, not much change can occur without sleep. So, I am off to bed. Goodnight, my friends. Have a great weekend. We shall talk later. In the meantime, enjoy every sandwich.

I can’t believe I am dictating my last “online letter” to you all as a Wabash freshman. Exactly one year ago I had just made the decision to attend Wabash! Two months later, after submitting my $250 deposit check, I received a shirt in the mail with the words, “Seriously Competitive.” These are the words that signify the atmosphere at Wabash.

Posing with my “Seriously Competitive’” shirt at the entrance of Wabash College

As I prepare for what will be a busy finals week, I wanted to look back on my year and give any incoming student advice from my personal experience.

CHOOSE YOUR TUTORIAL WISELY
What has been my most treasured experience is first semester tutorial with Professor Himsel in Baxter 101. There I made friendships with classmates and “brothers” that will truly endure. Discussion on “Founding Fathers and Revolutionary Characters” made me think analytically about what our founders truly left posterity in terms of example and national identity. I was pushed, prodded, questioned, and in the end, validated by my tutorial. In the same manner I encourage you to take that first step by making sure you get the tutorial you want to define your college years.

GET INVOLVED
I heard these words repeatedly and I took them to heart. I learned so much about writing articles through “The Bachelor” and “The Phoenix,” became educated on the inner works of the student body as a class representative and member of the MXI, got knee deep in athletics through soccer and track, enjoyed my “nerdier” side through Dork Club, continued my commitment to helping others through Best Buddies, “Gear Up” mentorship program, and Alpha Phi Omega, as well as became a part of activities to stretch my mind and public speaking through Parliamentary Union and Moot Court. By all means do not put a limit on what you can do, then by the time you are finished with freshman year, you will have a perfect idea of exactly what you want to do!

MAKE FRIENDS
Very much linked with getting involved, making friends forced me to balance my extra-curricular activities with meeting people and making lasting friendships. For me that has been extremely evident by my Martindale buddies, who have been a great source of friendship and amiability; from my friends within my alcove (Cole and Cameron) to next door, (Korbin, Tom, and Daniel) to down the hallway (Jordan and Carl). Friends also include those I have made through sports; you can’t imagine what running with someone for a half a year does for bonding! College life for me would be little if anything without the friends I have been blessed to make along the way.

So choose your tutorial wisely, get involved, make friends, but most importantly, get your sleep! The last aspect is the most important of all these three things, the key to happiness starts with a good night of sleep!

Thank you so much for reading this blog, and following me throughout the year. I hope it has been as helpful and informative for you as it has been for me. So let’s make it through finals week, enjoy your summer, and let’s do it all again next year!

Respectfully,

Fabian

The air in Pioneer Chapel was rippling today as 300-400 students prepared for the last chapel talk of the year given by outgoing President Patrick White. I sat uncharacteristically further back due to the great number of people between Martindale brothers Tom Blaich and Korbin West. What was truly one of the finest chapel talks of the year was opened by White’s characteristic humor as he silenced the resounding applause to his introduction by saying “I only have twenty-five minutes!”

Seconds later he invocated speech that drew an equally loud applause. “God I love Wabash!” As President White continued speaking I was struck by his many personal stories that showed how much of a personal president he was to Wabash. So much so that even incoming freshmen such as my roommate Patrick Bryant and next door neighbor Daniel Craig were mentioned for their interaction with White in preparation for a Calculus test and in his replacement of White in a titanic battle of Risk respectively.

Students of Wabash “ring out” President and Mrs. White during Chapel Talk

But a more personal example is Dr. White’s participation in a very small book reading club over “The Great Gatsby.” As a member of this group, I witnessed Dr. White’s unassuming presence as he diligently took notes during our meetings. But it was an even greater surprise when during his speech he reference’s Gatsby’s green light at the edge of the horizon when talking about the high expectations of Wabash. In the same way that Wabash continually demands more from its students, Gatsby’s consuming desire to reunite with his dream is symbolized by this lone, green light in the horizon.

Another personal story would be meeting a lone man in a baseball cap. After traveling with the track team back from Wooster, a five-hour drive that yielded another conference championship (hoorah!), we walked off the bus at 2 am to discover President White ready to shake each of our hands and congratulate us on our accomplishment. These are just two examples of White’s commitment to personal relationships.

What is possibly less unexpected is Dr. White’s approbation of brotherhood, referencing his ringing in ceremonies in which he has traditionally invoked the words of Shakespeare, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” So when he asked everyone to stand and greet the neighbor to their left and right, you can imagine the exuberance and amiability filling that moment.

I recall most clearly Dr. White’s citing of an exemplar alumni named Bob Armstrong who, upon his cancer bed, made the analogy to our president that his doctors who were “trying to save his life” would now meet the president of the college “that gave him his life.” This great approbation of Wabash matches Dr. White’s compliment of an institution that is a “community of heart and mind.”

So Dr. White concluded his chapel talks by praising Wabash for its consistency in the ever-changing world, for showing its students that “Wabash always dreams,” and possibly more importantly, “Wabash always fights!”

Respectfully,

Fabian

The seniors in our house are great, and it’s going to be hard saying goodbye to them. They are great role models, great friends, and I’m very proud to call them my brothers. So besides the other “end of the year” things we’ve done this week that make it seem so real that the senior class will be leaving soon, I made another great freshman year memory during my first all-nighter this week, on Monday.

What started out as a simple Spanish question on Monday night led to a 10-hour bro-down with my pledge “grandfather” Jordan Dulaney, who was also bogged down with a full night’s worth of homework. Because focusing on homework for 10 hours straight is just not natural, the night was intermixed with some great conversations about all sorts of topics, from the house, to future plans, to family and jobs. Spending the night working with a senior who I’ve looked up to so much was a great way to start the wrapping-up process of my freshman year, and gave me the opportunity to reflect how much I’ve changed this year, and how much I’ve learned. Dulaney is a great mentor, along with the rest of the senior Phi Delts, and it will be with a heavy heart when we all say good-bye to them for the summer.

Anyways, stay strong and work hard this next week Wabash! Only one more day of classes! That’s hard to believe.

I should be able to squeeze one more blog in this year, so keep your eyes peeled! Have a good one.

Bode

That’s right, two more days of classes! I marked this landmark day by enjoying two munificent Reece’s pancakes from Sparks Center. And if you are wondering, I did cut back on a little bit of sugar because I turned down the Oreo chunk/cookie dough and kept myself within the traditional Bisquick batter you see at the store. So you see, I am very conscious about what I eat.

Kappa Sig beat the rain when painting the bench this week

“The Bachelor” meeting was a particularly poignant moment of the day, as we celebrated Ryan Lutz (Sports Editor), John Dykstra (Editor in Chief), Alex Totten (Cavelife Editor), Gabe Watson (Managing Editor) and Riley Floyd (Creative Editor) departing the Wabash staff. By celebrate, I mean we went around the table and each person spoke a little bit on why they chose to write for “The Bachelor” and what advice they had to give.

Tomorrow marks a similar moment for the Wabash community as we celebrate the tenure of President Patrick White, who as most know, will be taking the position as interim president at Millikin University. Tomorrow he will give his chapel talk, which I definitely plan on attending. Immediately following there will be a campus-wide picnic luncheon in Chadwick Court.

As I think about what the stage will be like when Dr. White gives his talk in the chapel, I can only imagine what effect Dr. William C. Placher had on his audience. For Freshman Colloquium (Enduring Questions) we are currently reading “The Tradition We Inherit,” Placher’s book with selected speeches and sermons from his time as a Wabash professor. I can only reflect on the traditions past alumni have had on Wabash, and tomorrow will mark a similar day for the Wabash community as we celebrate the impact Dr. Patrick and Dr. Chris White have had.

Sometimes you intend to go to bed and you end up having a great discussion with fellow Martindale friends Tom Blaich, Korbin West, Daniel Craig, and the two Cameron’s (Dennis and Steppler). Thanks for all those wonderful talks guys, I’ve truly enjoyed them!

Respectfully,

Fabian

Andrew Dettmer is an excellent tour guide. It is very rainy outside. Those are two of the things I learned as I was given a tour of Wabash College, and to my surprise, I learned even more things I did not already.

Took a bit of a rainy tour yesterday

Once again the rain took over the day, striking conveniently during track workout at around 4:00 and continuing at the writing of this blog, which is almost 9 pm. Of course I am spending my time tonight watching yet another episode of “The Voice” with Abraham Hall and Sam Mattingly, both wrestlers, snoring lightly behind me on the sofas.

I felt a little bad for missing the last student senate meeting of the year due to a track meeting for the mid-distance/distance guys tonight. But I took solace in the fact that I will be attending the last Bachelor newspaper meeting tomorrow during lunch. After writing for the newspaper for most of the year, I can truly say that I have learned a lot more about the process of putting a newspaper together, how to write sports articles, and lots of what not to-do in journalism.

It’s hard to believe, but three more days of classes left, let’s hope rain doesn’t stop that storyline!

Respectfully,

Fabian