"I strongly believe that the underlying structures and philosophy of Fairhaven College, the abilities of my professors and the support they provided, coupled with my own interests and approach to learning were critical components to what made college such a positive experience for me.

The knowledge and skills of my professors, and their manner of communicating, of questioning, and of teaching has many times served significantly as inspiration and motivation for me to learn more, to push beyond my supposed boundaries, and most importantly, to feel able to make mistakes. I feel very lucky to have attended Fairhaven College and for the education I gained from it."

Gabriel Cruden '98
Communication & Alternative
Education Through the Lens of Nature

"I figured the best way to choose a major was to combine the things I enjoyed studying the most and attend whichever school offered that. I chose environmental science. Throughout high school, I'd been heavily involved with Earth Service Corp, an environmental organization which focused on empowering and educating students about environmental issues.

I will graduate from Western Washington University, a Fairhaven student with a Huxley College degree in Environmental Planning. For two years I believed the best way to make the changes in the world I want to make was to create laws...The more I studied, I came to the realization that the national level wasn't tangible enough for me. Planning on the other hand, offered an opportunity to foster change on a local level."

Glenda Rader '98
Environmental Studies -
Planning & Policy

"My senior project was...an internship proposal to an educational development program in Quetzalteango, Guatemala to teach English classes, and use the opportunity to have the children write their life stories...When I arrived, the project was close to collapsing, so two other foreign interns and I abandoned our previous ideas in order to restructure and coordinate the project.

The evolution of my concentration is indicative of my personal growth during this time. While I have always been aware of my responsibility to my community, my concentration began as an academic evaluation of US involvement in Central America, and developed into a prescription for action."

Taleigh Smith '98
Social Change & Community Development
with a Focus on Central America + English

"Attending college, for me, felt like a risky thing to do. [But] attending college has been a 'dream come true.'

Fairhaven College has been a vital part of my academic journey. I can honestly say that I have thrived within the environment of Fairhaven with its small discussion-type classes (rather than lecture-style). In addition, I have exercised the options of creating and participating in ISPs (independent study) and practica which have helped me construct a significant body of learning. The power of my own voice has increased as I have learned to explore ways to increase the voices of others. I feel I have managed to create a satisfactory 'whole.'"

Elizabeth Hopley '98
Promotion & Advocacy of Health & Well-Being

"Everyone has told me how rigorous the [Law & Diversity] program was. I now believe them!

As part of my education, the biggest concept I learned over four years was awareness of different peoples, experiences, and cultures. Prior to the Law & Diversity Program, I would have described myself as a well-rounded, unbiased individual. I was surprised when I discovered that I had such deep-rooted biases that were not valid. I became more aware of issues that impacted me both directly and indirectly. I have since found myself defending other peoples' "issues" as if they were my own."

Joy Mbajah '97
Law & Diversity

"I originally chose to attend Fairhaven College because I liked the ideas of education I had been introduced to on many visits to another liberal arts college, but I wanted a larger campus with more opportunities to explore diverse subjects.

What originally got me into math was the conversation. My fellow math students and I spend all of our classroom time studying logic, and the conversations we have reflect this. Contrary to popular opinion, 'math geeks' do not only talk about math, the conversations that have kept me excited about my field cover a whole range of topics. they're genuine explorations into the world around us using, as a looking glass, the tool of logic."

Judson Miller '98
Mathematics

"Fairhaven continually challenged me, and in the process, I discovered a passion for learning.

With the freedom to design my own curriculum, I came to appreciate new ways of understanding the interactions between literature and my own writing and art. I discovered whatever I express creatively should not only reflect my own experiences and sensitivities, but in the long run, should be connected in some way to larger, more universal issues. But perhaps most importantly, Fairhaven taught me the value and personal benefit of continued learning and growth."

Joanne Ienna '98
Creative Publishing: Integrating
Writing, Literature& Art

"When the time came for me to select a college, I looked for a school which would allow me greater control over my educational direction while also providing an intellectually stimulating environment.

I eventually selected Fairhaven College because it allowed for a greater variety of educational options. Fairhaven's connection to both a large university library and a wider variety of course options swayed me.

Fairhaven College...has given me skills I may not have otherwise picked up. I came with no particular focus, but I eventually arrived at a highly focused educational plan."

Seth Popham '98
The Body, Society & the
Environment: Perspectives on Health