Studying society

Tyson chose to major in sociology because he has always been fascinated by how people work in large groups. He is curious about how large-scale societal factors affect interactions between individuals and contribute to global injustices. He plans to continue his pursuit of knowledge in seminary and then minister to others as a hospital chaplain. At Northwestern, he serves as a discipleship coordinator in his dorm, a member of the Black V improv team, a writer for the Beacon student newspaper, and a commentator for the Smash Bros Ultimate esports team.

Home away from home

Compared to the other colleges I visited in my search, Northwestern looked like a place where people were genuinely happy. My stay at Hospers Hall also showed me there was a place on this campus for people like me, a place where your only prerequisite for belonging in a community is your very existence. These experiences, in addition to my interest in a Christ-oriented community and education, led me to choose Northwestern as my new home.

Constantly reevaluating

The sociology faculty challenge students to rethink the way they understand social dynamics. They encourage intense analysis of why we believe the things we do and help us understand how structural and cultural forces can shape the opinions of others in ways that differ greatly from our own. If you are truly engaging with the materials presented by classes within the sociology major, you will constantly be questioning and reevaluating your way of life. In many ways, that is the most practical application an educational experience can have.

Being social

The professors are always ready and willing to have friendly, impromptu conversations outside of class, regardless of what the topic of discussion might be. Whether it’s debating the merits of various Bethesda games with Dr. Monsma or discussing views on contentious social issues with Dr. Hausmann, I always feel quite welcomed and relaxed when engaging with these two.

Deeper faith

My time at Northwestern has encouraged me to learn about the Bible in more ways than meditation and prayer. I have gotten coffee and meals with different faculty members and students across campus to discuss various aspects of Christian faith. I have also begun to read the Bible with the help of commentaries and the words of theologians to gain a better contextual understanding of God’s Word.