Class of 2021 Reflection

By: Anika Perry                                                                                    

Photographed by: Imogene Eagan                                                            

Newberg, OR- The class of 2021 is graduating soon and with obstacles like COVID-19, The Crescent wanted to know what their years at George Fox University (GFU) were like, and what kept them at GFU amidst the pandemic.

The most common answer when asked what enriched their experience at GFU was the professors. Answers from Rylee Jakabosky and Haley Crook stood out the most for this question. 

Q: What has enriched your experience at GFU?

Jakabosky: The availability of the professors. The biology faculty has been amazing at letting me sit down with them to talk about my academic affairs as well as personal things going on. I feel like I never really have to wait to get a chance to sit down with them, most of the time I can pop by their office and if they're busy they'll work to schedule an appointment with me the next day or at the very most by the end of the week.

Crook: My professors really made my experience at GFU amazing. They pushed me to reach a potential I didn't even know I had. The comm department felt like a little family and I never had a doubt that my professors cared about my growth as a future professional.

Q: What made you stay at GFU amidst the pandemic?

Stahly-Hale: I decided to stay...mainly because of the Christ centered environment. Being in a place that reminds me to be in a posture of gratitude, and trust in the middle of something that is so scary has been extremely beneficial in my faith and in my position of hope through all of the darkness present.

Brianna Stahly-Hale photographed by Imogene Eagan

Many respondents had more than one experience that helped them realize their passion for the community at GFU. Stahly-Hale’s response to this question stood out to The Crescent. Stahly-Hale reflected on her time at the SCORR conference- a two day conference where students and faculty from various Christian colleges meet and learn about diversity. 

Q: Tell us about a unique experience that helped you realize the passion you have for the community at GFU.

Stahly-Hale: An experience that I had that helped me realize the passion I have for the community at George Fox is having the opportunity to attend the SCORR conference at Biola my sophomore year of college. This really opened my eyes to a lot of world issues that I hadn't been aware of and the impact of what it means to advocate. I learned my passion for uplifting the voices of marginalized communities and that has helped to form my future career path.

After their time at GFU, our graduates have many exciting plans after graduation. All respondents mentioned obtaining jobs related to their major. 

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?

Sitzmann: I plan to move back home to Washington and get a job in that area. I am currently applying for entry level mechanical engineering jobs and manufacturing engineering jobs. I am also getting married to my high school sweetheart this August.

Madison Sitzmann photographed by Imogene Eagan

We are thankful to all respondents who took the time to fill out the survey. Congratulations class of 2021 on graduating!