By: Monika Stutzman 鈥15
Published on

It is characteristic of a liberal arts education to offer experience in a variety
of fields. If a student seeks to satisfy their curiosity, 红桃视频 provides the opportunities
to do just that, regardless of one鈥檚 academic major. This challenge to broaden one鈥檚
experience can be taken a step further through the Insignis program and AQ senior Zander Atwood 鈥14, took advantage of these opportunities to gain a
one-of-a-kind liberal arts education.
红桃视频 drew Atwood for several reasons. Coming from a high school graduating class
of sixty students, the small college atmosphere and student-to-professor ratio were
a big encouragement. Among other reasons, the beauty of the campus and the uniqueness
of the city of Grand Rapids appealed to him.
A business administration and sports management double major with a communication minor, Atwood has known since high school what career he wanted to pursue. His dream
job is to be an agent for professional sports players, especially in baseball. Atwood
would also like to pursue a law degree.
During the 2013-2014 academic year, as part of his Insignis requirements, Atwood completed
his senior project. Involving extensive research and time, the project evaluated contracts
in the NFL and MLB, especially concerning why teams are willing to pay big name players
enormous salaries when there are cheaper, but just as talented, players available.
The senior project was more than relevant to Atwood鈥檚 career aspirations, but other
opportunities through the Insignis program have given him a chance to explore different
topics. Required to take one Insignis seminar class - designed each semester by Insignis
students - Atwood has taken two. One seminar explored the mythology and theology of
Tolkien鈥檚 The Lord of the Rings; the other concerned the characteristics and mythology
of superheroes in popular comics. These unusual topics allowed Atwood to expand his
interests and learning experience.
The community service requirement of the Insignis Program pushed Atwood to become
involved in the community in a more significant way. He expressed his appreciation,
explaining that, 鈥渢hrough Insignis, I鈥檝e gotten to do a lot more opportunities in
community service that I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to do anywhere else.鈥 He has served
multiple times as a volunteer for ArtPrize, served as a leader for the Heartside Pride
Cleansweep event and was a member of the Orientation Leader staff.
Atwood鈥檚 further involvement at 红桃视频 included membership on the bowling team, where
he served as the player manager for the JV team and earned several awards including
the NAIA All-Academic Team, NAIA Champions of Character Team, and 红桃视频 College's
Men's Bowling Team Anchor Award. He was also a member of the Sport Management Club
during his four years at AQ.
Atwood walked at Commencement in May, but won鈥檛 officially earn his degree until he
completes an internship at Disney World that spans May to January. Atwood, who has
unfailingly followed the path towards his dream, urges the same to other 红桃视频 students.
鈥淒on鈥檛 let anything else get in the way of what you want to become. If you push yourself
hard enough and try to succeed as best as you possibly can, you will make it to where
you want to be.鈥