Exceeding Expectations
Student Snapshot: Alex Arnold ’27
Alex Arnold (German, food studies) didn’t expect to love his First-Year Seminar, but he soon found that it led to fascinating discussions and field trips, close connections—and even a sweet dog-walking gig! Learn more about his first year on campus and how he's making the most of his time at Dickinson through involvement in music ensembles and departmental and special-interest clubs and as a College Farm intern.
Hometown:
East Lansing, Michigan.
Major:
German, with a food-studies certificate.
Clubs and organizations:
Dickinson College Orchestra and Jazz Band, College Farm (student farmer), German Club, Workers Party and Alpha Lambda Delta.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Presidential Scholarship.
On choosing Dickinson:
I was drawn to Dickinson by the genuine kindness and personability expressed by everyone that I met during my visit to campus.
On the academic side, I know that I learn best in smaller settings, where I can ask questions and build a sense of community with my peers. I felt Dickinson could offer me that sort of learning environment, and I am happy to say that it has.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:
The connections between students and faculty have been wonderful. I often find myself reflecting on how much my professors are willing to help and have conversations with me. Last year, as a first-year, I felt privileged to be on such close terms with the college faculty, an opportunity I’m not sure I would have had at any large school.
Favorite thing about Dickinson:
I am particularly proud of the parts of Dickinson that make it unique—the things that really make it feel special. One of those things is the College Farm.
This summer, I am working on the farm as a student worker. My days are filled with seeding, planting, harvesting, lots of weeding and the occasional picking up of food waste for our compost and biogas operation. I am astounded by the amount that I have learned about sustainable agriculture over the past few weeks, and I'm awed by the knowledgeable people that I have gotten to meet while doing it. I am very appreciative for the opportunity to take on learning outside the classroom in such a special way.
Favorite class so far:
I have enjoyed all the classes I have taken so far at Dickinson. One class, however, has stood out to me: my First-Year Seminar (FYS), Local Food and Poverty, taught by Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Heather Bedi. I didn’t expect the FYS to be anything special—just a requirement—but I loved working with such a dynamic group of students, and our professor expressed such obvious enthusiasm not only about what we were learning but also about our own aspirations as first-year students. I also enjoyed the various field trips and guest speakers that filled our class time.
Fun fact:
I’ve stayed in touch with Professor Bedi, who is technically no longer my advisor, since I declared my German major, and I walk her dog. Apollo is quite possibly the sweetest dog of Dickinson College. I first had the opportunity to meet Apollo after Professor Bedi brought him to one of our FYS classes. During my second semester on campus, I regularly took him on walks with other FYS friends.
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Published July 11, 2024