Coming to SPU, I had no clear ideas or intentions for a major or a career, much less any sense of vocation. This made my first year difficult and quite stressful for me. I’m generally rather capable across all subjects, and, because I don’t excel in one specific subject, this added to my stress of picking a major. Freshman year I took classes that fulfilled my general requirements, while I hesitantly pursued science. Yet something just didn’t settle with me — I was still restless to decide on a major.
Then I found myself sitting in Debbie Pope’s UCOR 1000 class Spring Quarter of my freshman year, and I loved it. I loved her, her enthusiasm, her teaching style, everything. Admittedly, I was initially intimidated by her syllabus, but I soon got over that. The following fall I decided to take her “Introduction to Interpersonal Communication” class for another general-ed requirement and instantly knew I wanted to major in Communication.
My junior year I took “Gender Issues in Communication” (again taught by Debbie Pope), which inspired me to declare a Women’s Studies minor. This minor opened doors into sociology courses, finally giving me a sense of purpose for my career: I want to be a professor of sociology (hopefully here at SPU). Communication gives me a firm base in this career. Without discovering my love for communication, I would never have found my vocation.
My faith has definitely grown over the past four years; it takes a lot of faith to know we cannot control the future, even if we feel secure. I’ve learned to trust God that he has everything in control, whether I feel like he does or not.
I have loved getting to know the professors, specifically Debbie Pope and Bill Purcell. Both have been instrumental in my education here at SPU and number among my favorite professors in my educational career. Dr. Purcell has especially helped me grow as a student, encouraging me to push past my fears, such as public speaking. Dr. Pope has also become a good friend, and often I will meet her for coffee just to talk about life. My favorite courses have to be “Gender Issues in Communication” and “Foundations of Western Rhetoric,” despite their challenging and philosophical nature. These courses opened my eyes to many new concepts, which have proved invaluable in my minor studies.
The Communication program here at SPU encourages and fosters a learning environment in which students get to know the professors and one another. I believe this strengthens the program, allowing students to have multiple resources and opportunities for help. My own experience mirrors this and, through it, I have come to make some of my dearest friends here at SPU.