Academics

Category: Profile

  • Maddie Derbis ’23

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    harrietanderson

    “After going through the Athletic Training program I have grown to love developing meaningful relations with my patients, and learning about how to provide equitable health care to diverse populations.” Maddie’s interest in athletic training was born from a fascination with anatomy and orthopedics and a desire to pursue a healthcare profession. She was drawn…

  • Sydney Hagen ’25

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    harrietanderson

    “Through both in-class learning and field experiences, I feel that I will be well prepared for my future career as an educator.” Sydney was drawn to Gustavus because of its “welcoming community, beautiful campus, and exceptional education program.” On campus, Sydney is a member of the Gustavus Wind Symphony and involved in both cross country…

  • Ryan Wersal ’26

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    harrietanderson

    “The Education Department is a small, close-knit community made of people who share one big thing in common. Rule number 1 to be in the Education Department; you need to have a love for kids.” Ryan’s interest in teaching was born through his experience as a camp counselor over the summer where he discovered his…

  • Carlos Mejia Suarez, PhD

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    harrietanderson

    “In my courses I provide opportunities for students to establish connections between class experience and community engagement.“ What are your areas of research and teaching expertise? Latin American literature: Twentieth century and contemporary, its intersection with gender, sexuality, armed conflict, and peace. What is your teaching style? My classroom is an open space for structured…

  • Terena Wilkens

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    harrietanderson

    “I couldn’t have envisioned a more exciting opportunity: to create a new state-of-the-art theatre from floor to ceiling.” In the decision to build a tech-laden “laboratory” theatre between Anderson Theatre and the Nobel Hall of Science, including supporting spaces for costumes, scene building, and storage, Wilkens found herself at that nexus too. As the Gustavus…

  • Megan “MJ” Johnson ’18

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    harrietanderson

    “In rejecting the ‘have to’ script, I have become the change I wished to see in myself.” The first year was a bit of a rough start for this first-generation college student. “I came to Gustavus feeling like an incredibly serious student. I felt like there were things I had to do, like study communications…

  • Professor Jeff Jeremiason

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    harrietanderson

    “He’s got the students plugged in, too.” In the 1980s, Jeff Jeremiason was a big Metallica fan. Now he’s interested in a different kind of heavy metal. The Gustavus chemistry professor is a leading researcher on mercury and lead contamination in two northern Minnesota ecosystems: the Saint Louis River and its mouth on Lake Superior,…

  • Matt Berkner ’19

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    harrietanderson

    “All in, what happens when you commit to being uncomfortable? Growth. And wins. Berkner had a solid plan: He would go to the University of Minnesota and become a dentist. Then one day in high school, in his hometown of Sleepy Eye, a Gustavus football coach approached him after a game and asked him to…

  • Maddie Miller ‘20

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    harrietanderson

    “My time in the Gustavus Theatre & Dance Department really pushed me to explore all sides of myself as an artist through careful reflection and consideration of my creative intentions. This has taught me to be resilient and open to change which have both been essential in the current global climate.”

  • Sydney Sutherland ’22

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    harrietanderson

    “I was initially drawn to Gustavus because of the opportunities to work both onstage and backstage. As I got more experience, I was drawn to stage management and assistant stage management because I was able to view the full scope of the process, and found joy in taking on a leadership role within the department.…