When looking for a college, my top priorities were that it would be a Christian school, it wouldn’t be more than a day’s drive from home in northern New Jersey and that it would have a strong communications program. I already had a strong interest in politics and government and had volunteered on campaigns and organizations; so when I heard about the Stover Scholars program, it became extremely evident that this had my name all over it and I knew I absolutely had to interview for this program. I remember the interview going really well, especially after telling Dr. Stratton that my birthday was on Constitution Day - I think that sealed the deal!
I very much enjoyed the opportunity to bond with other students who had the same passion and interest as I did, as most of my close friends back home couldn't care less about politics or government. I also grew up in suburban northern New Jersey, so to hear perspectives not just on both sides of the political aisle, but also from people my age that were economically and societally different than how I grew up, was very formative to my political views at the time and still to this day. It was a fantastic experience to learn more about our Founding Fathers and founding documents, to meet people in various fields and to talk to decision makers and gain their insight into why they believe what they do and what experiences and beliefs formed their viewpoints. Having all of these opportunities, discussions and educational knowledge definitely helped prepare me for success as I could speak from a more solid background of knowledge; it helped me to understand my own point of view better, but also helped me to understand why others may see things slightly differently than I do and to be able to still discuss issues of the day in a professional and inquisitive manner.
The Stover Scholar program would absolutely not be the same without the leadership of Dr. Stratton. I’m very glad Dr. Stratton has remained at the helm of this program to keep it going onwards and upwards! I also greatly enjoyed taking a class about Local and State Government, as I have known for some time that for future employment and/or elected office, that would be the area I was most interested in.
This may sound a bit corny, but honestly, it was the people from the program that I enjoyed the most. I’ve visited campus a few times since graduating and while it is nice to see professors and to walk the halls of buildings I once took classes in, it definitely does not feel the same without the peers that you experienced it with. From Stover Scholar lunches, to trips, to Merit Badge Universities, I developed several close friendships and acquaintances from the program, and I am grateful for the impact each of those people had on my college experience. I learned later on that my first-year college roommate, who was also a Stover Scholar, actually changed his roommate selection so that he would be with someone who was a Stover Scholar. To this day, we keep in touch and we see each other annually when I visit Pennsylvania. If it wasn’t for this program, I likely wouldn’t have him as such an important friend and person in my life, and to get through freshman year with someone who had some similar classes and experiences as you was a huge benefit.
During college, I really did appreciate how the professors were pretty accommodating knowing I was in the Stover program and worked with me if I had any issues or conflicts. It showed me that they understood the value of the scholarship program and that being a Stover Scholar was just as important as their class was. I will say, having a birthday on Constitution Day was something I felt like I only knew about growing up, but then once I got to Waynesburg, it was like my birthday day suddenly was a national holiday. We did our annual Constitution Day play on Sept. 17, which was really cool, although intense leading up to my birthday all four years because of everything that went into the play.
Having all of these opportunities, discussions and educational knowledge definitely helped prepare me for success as I could speak from a more solid background of knowledge; it helped me to understand my own point of view better, but also helped me to understand why others may see things slightly differently than I do...
My advice to fellow Stover scholars would be two-fold: listen and ask questions. Listen because sometimes you want to jump out of your skin to ask Dr. Stratton, the special speaker or your fellow Scholars something, but because you are so focused on your remembering and wanting to ask your question, you are not listening to what is being said by others. If there is something you want to ask, write it down so you don’t forget, and then listen to what is being said. It shows respect for the person talking, and maybe if you keep listening, your question will be answered. But then the flip side is actually asking a question. I know Dr. Stratton always liked us to ask multiple questions of every guest we met. Whether you ask one question or five, you may never have the opportunity to get to ask your question again, so don’t regret not asking later, and ask! I remember asking Justice Antonin Scalia what he thought about term limits for justices on the Supreme Court (as a book I just read recommended that become an amendment to the Constitution). Scalia gave me his answer (he thought that the idea was ridiculous), but only a few short years later, he passed away and I would never get an opportunity to talk to him again. So definitely ask questions if there’s something you want to know of a guest, and don’t be afraid!
For those applying to the program, my advice is simple. If you are going to apply, be sure you are going to be committed and that you really want to do this. If you say yes or apply merely because of the monetary benefit, I would highly recommend you think twice about applying. Being a Stover Scholar can be just showing up to the meetings and going on the trips and the like, or you can get involved, ask questions, engage in a debate with your fellow Scholars and really get something out of it. If you are going to apply, please be the latter - you’ll thank yourself later!
Presently, I am a proud homeowner and resident of Oakland, New Jersey, living in the same town where I grew up - actually just down the street from where I lived for many years! I am the Chairman of the Borough’s Communications Commission, and I also recently became the Secretary of a new non-profit organization, Friends of Oakland Communications, which aims to essentially be the fundraising and grant seeking arm for the Borough Commission. As for my actual employment, I work for the Borough of Roseland, New Jersey, as their Public Information Officer and I am also the Office Manager for the building as well. I oversee their social media, website, emergency alerts, local access television station, writing press releases and letters, taking photos and video at meetings and events, writing and publishing a weekly newsletter and other tasks and projects as they come along!
My first job out of college was for DialAmerica, a telemarketing company, which I held for a little more than a year until my current job became available. I joined the Communications Commission as an alternate with a month or two of coming home from college, and from the summer of 2017 to January 2018, I went from Alternate 2 to Chairman of the Commission. I had also been working to bring a dog park to my community since 2009 and finally saw that to fruition with the opening of the Jill Schwertfeger Memorial Dog Park on Mother’s Day 2021. I started working for the Borough of Roseland on Oct. 1, 2019, and I’ve become one of the senior and knowledgeable employees at Borough Hall. I am still passionate about politics and am hoping to run for local elected office sooner than later.
If I’m not working or volunteering, you can find me hanging out with my friends from home, driving to western Pennsylvania to see my college friends and their families, visiting my relatives in Texas and usually going on one unique trip each year to a new area, city or state.
About the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership
Waynesburg University's Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership is an interdisciplinary scholarly center dedicated to bringing insights from the U.S. Constitution's Founding Era and from Christianity to bear in the contemporary public square, with the ultimate goal of creatively transforming the ethical state of the polis.
About the Department of Communication
When you hit the job market, communication employers want to see what you can do. As a graduate of Waynesburg University's Department of Communication, you’ll have an amazing portfolio that will open many doors.
