Why did you choose to attend Hamilton?
I chose Hamilton because of its unique open curriculum, it was a reasonable distance from home, the outstanding academic facilities, the opportunity to do scientific research as an undergraduate student, a brand new turf baseball field and indoor facility, and an opportunity to contribute to the team as a freshman.
Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I was looking at some larger schools but several Division III schools offered me the chance to contribute right away and continue to hit and play the infield instead of just pitching. I also felt that there was a better balance between academics and athletics at the Division III level, whereas at the Division I level athletics were more of a full-time job.
What is the best thing about being a part of the NESCAC?
The best part about being part of the NESCAC is the opportunity to play baseball at a highly competitive level against other outstanding athletes at other institutions who make academics a priority.
What is your dream job/career?
Professional baseball player but I probably throw about 15 mph too slow for that. Instead, I’m looking to become an emergency room physician because the dynamic and fast-paced atmosphere of an emergency department is challenging and I will have the opportunity to help people and save lives every day.
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
I participated in the Hamilton Autism Advocates for Neurodiversity which hosts local children with autism for afternoons on campus to help aid their social development skills. I also participated in the ABC Tutoring program which provides academic and social support for several young men from educationally underserved backgrounds living away from their homes in an on-campus house as they attend the local high school. Our baseball team has also participated in numerous Hamilton-hosted community service days.
Looking back on your four years, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the breadth of success I have had at Hamilton. I’ve set some school records on the baseball field and received all-conference honors. I’ve also received scholar-athlete awards, recognition for outstanding achievement in Physical Chemistry, and earned Phi Beta Kappa honors for my history coursework.
What is something you enjoy doing that you never get tired of?
Taking my two dogs Mookie and Aurora swimming.
What has been your favorite class outside your major?
I’ve taken numerous history classes outside of my chemistry major which I enjoyed immensely. My favorites included South African history, Mormonism in America, and US 1960s history.
Who is your favorite professor?
The entire Hamilton Chemistry department has been outstanding. They are all approachable, knowledgeable, and excellent instructors. They have also been highly supportive of my unique timeline at Hamilton while taking gap semesters, and I am incredibly grateful for all of them, particularly my advisors Wes Kramer, Angela Blum, and Ian Rosenstein.
What internships/research projects have you participated in?
I did two summer research internships looking at an alternative to traditional antibiotics using antimicrobial peptide-based polymers at Hamilton College which taught me the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and the research process. In my first gap semester, I worked in the Patient Experience Department at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine which taught me how health care functions in the United States and helped me develop communication skills that will benefit me when I am a physician. Most recently, I completed a chemistry co-op program at H3 Biomedicine in Cambridge, Mass. which introduced me to the rapid pace of science in biotech and gave me insight into the industrial practice of oncology drug discovery.
What has been the most interesting part of your major?
The numerous fields in which fundamental chemical knowledge can be applied – biochemistry, organic, inorganic, physical, etc. – is staggering. Also, the rapid growth and evolution of the scientific understanding of chemistry over the past 20 years has opened a lot of new avenues of research which is very exciting.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
I’ve learned a lot about self-evaluation, how to make adjustments after failure, and to make myself a better leader, person, student, and baseball player. Being a student-athlete develops resilience which will help anyone as they face challenges in life.
What is your favorite place on campus?
A Commons dining hall table surrounded by my teammates and best friends.
