Meet Your RAs: Upperclassmen Housing
Meet the Resident Advisors who will ensure a safe, fun living experience in the 2017-18 school year for upperclassmen living in Westminster’s Triangle residence halls, the Grove, and the Westminster Apartments!
Sweazey Hall
Sydney Pinkerton
Major: Biology
Minor: None
Home Town: Kansas City, MO
Describe yourself in 3 words: Spunky, Funky, and Rad
Why Westminster?
I heard the biology program was stellar and we have the cadaver lab.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
Medical School is my future and the one on one teacher help is getting me there.
What is your favorite class and why?
Biodiversity. I liked it because animals are cute.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
Eating ice cream 4 times a day.
What Motivates You?
If I finish my homework, I reward myself with 1/2 price shakes after 8.
Advice to an incoming student:
Be involved and hang out with me.
Clubs and Organizations: ECoS and Cross Country
Missy Rolseth (Alpha Gamma Delta RA)
Major: Political Science
Minor: Pre-Law
Home Town: Owasso, OK
Describe yourself in 3 words: Witty, Adventurous, Creative
Why Westminster?
I had always wanted to go out of state to a liberal arts college. The history of Westminster and the quality of the coursework stood out to me and made my decision easy!
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I plan to continue on to law school and the professors at Westminster are working hard to ensure I have all the skills and resources I need to go onto to prestigious law school.
What is your favorite class and why?
Any political science class! All the professors are outstanding and challenge you in the best way! All the professors invite you to challenge them on ideas and put forth your insight.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
My favorite memories are those spent with my sisters or suite mates just hanging around, studying, or going shopping. Movie nights and late night food runs are always fun and humorous as well!
What Motivates You?
Knowing that my efforts now will pay off in the future and allow me to change the lives of others and help make a difference in the world.
Advice to an incoming student:
Take advantage of the small class size and get to know your professors. They truly care about ensuring your success and are always available for help on coursework or other things going on in your life.
Clubs and Organizations:
Student Government Association (Constitutions and Elections Chair), Student Foundations, Alpha Gamma Delta (External Philanthropy Chair), Phi Alpha Delta (Treasurer)
Weigle Hall
Emily Nordseick (Kappa Kappa Gamma RA)
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Mathematics
Home Town: Lexington, MO
Describe yourself in 3 words: Hardworking, Interesting, Busy (in a good way)
Why Westminster?
I visited a lot of different campuses, but Westminster was the only one I could really picture myself at. I loved the idea of being able to make a lot of strong and meaningful connections with my professors and fellow students.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I honestly don’t know quite yet, except for in general having a super cool job. And I know Westminster can get me there because of the great connections it has with amazing companies and people all over the world.
What is your favorite class and why?
My favorite class this last semester was Microeconomics, not only was the topic really interesting to me, but the teacher started off the first day of the semester by calling himself and “A” Breaker. I thought it was funny and enjoyed the challenge of the class.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
This is a very hard one, I have so many! I know this might be a little weird, but one time my entire suite packed into a car and went to Taco Bell at 1 am and we went back to the suite and just stayed up and sang Celine Dion and gossiped until an ungodly hour. Just nights like those where I knew I had made amazing friends that would last for the next few years and beyond had a way of making life seem so much better.
What Motivates You?
I’ve always been very self-motivated by my drive to be successful and to make the most out of life. And I know that has a lot of different meanings to different people, but I really enjoy being a part of something, and helping make other peoples lives easier or better in some way.
Advice to an incoming student:
Try new things and be open to new experiences. It’s okay if it doesn’t work out, I feel like that’s kind of what college is for. I have so many more opportunities at Westminster and I don’t want to look back on my time here and ask myself “Why didn’t I try that?”
Clubs and Organizations:
Member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Member of Student Ambassadors, The Campus Activities Board’s Creative Publicity Chair and Special Events Chair.
David Sissac
Major: Psychology and Sociology
Home Town: Chicago, IL
Describe yourself in 3 words: Honest, Kind, Dreamer
Why Westminster?
It is a smaller school that values close connections and has community values. It’s home at this point.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I don’t know where my future will take my exactly. I just know I’ll be well equipped for it because of all the resources Westminster has given me.
What is your favorite class and why?
Fencing. I found love in that sport
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
Anytime I’ve been sitting in my room and bonding with people friends who came over thinking we would be studying.
What Motivates You?
The people I care about in my life and my desire to help others.
Advice to an incoming student:
Don’t worry. We all fall down. There are people here who can help you get back up. Don’t be afraid go take some time adjusting.
Clubs and Organizations: Phi Delta Theta. Fencing Club. Anime Club. Tabletop Club. Quiz Bowl.
Wetterau Hall
Sawyer Young
Major: History, Archaeology (Self Designed)
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Fulton Missouri
Describe yourself in 3 words: Artistic, Learner, Caring
Why Westminster?
I grew up on campus. My mother works here and I’ve always felt a part of this community. I feel at home here at Westminster, and I enjoy the small campus feel. I wouldn’t give up the quality of my education here for anything.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I plan on applying for graduate school shortly after graduation to pursue a graduate degree in Archaeology. Westminster’s faculty has such excellent perspectives and provide wonderful advice when it comes to planning for the future. The one-on-one interaction really helps make each advisory period unique and personal, something to look forward to.
What is your favorite class and why?
My favorite class would have to be my freshman seminar. It was about Social Justice, and we learned how to take action in our own communities to initiate change for the better. It really helped give me some new perspectives of the world around me.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
My favorite memory is taking day trips with friends to state parks. We really enjoyed ourselves and we were inspired to return because of a Campus Activities Board event. We went with several other students to Rockbridge State Park, and it was a really refreshing!
What Motivates You?
Challenge. Any time I really have to work to accomplish something, I feel an urge to do my best.
An interesting fact about you: I earned my Eagle Scout in August of 2012.
Advice to an incoming student:
You will make mistakes. Don’t let them get to you. Making mistakes is a part of being a human being. Do your best to learn from your mistakes. It takes some serious critical thinking, but there are lots of resources for you on campus. You aren’t alone at Westminster.
Clubs and Organizations:
Tennis, History Club, Alliance, Honors Program, Chemistry Club, Blue Jay Band, Resident Advisors.
Lydia Hale (Kappa Alpha Theta RA)
Major: Biology
Minor: Spanish
Home Town: Martinsburg, MO
Describe yourself in 3 words: Loyal, Competitive, Responsible
Why Westminster?
It’s small and you have a good connection with professors and students.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I see myself in nursing school. Westminster is preparing me for those classes.
What is your favorite class and why?
I have three, Spanish, Math, and Biology because of the professors and the curriculum.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
When I was initiated into Theta.
What Motivates You?
Seeing the good that happens and how you inspire others.
Advice to an incoming student:
Be yourself and talk to professors. They will help with the transition along with upperclassmen.
Clubs and Organizations:
Basketball, Choir, Kappa Alpha Theta, Residential Advisor, and A Capella Club
The Grove
Major: Business Marketing -Emphasis in Marketing
Minor: None
Hometown: Ash Grove, MO
Describe yourself in 3 words: Focuse, Competitive, Curious
Why Westminster?
Westminster provided me the oppurtunity to become a student athlete, giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love while also getting a prestigious education.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
As of now I am looking into getting my masters in Europe while also playing soccer. Westminster has changed me overall as a person giving me not only the confidence, but the drive to do something such as study abroad.
What is your favorite class and why?
My favorite class thus far has been Corporate Finance. It provided me the ability to learn about companies and how they go about procedures such as building capital. It also showed me how I can acquire returns on my own investments as a venture capitalist.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
Winning the SLIAC conference championship last year by coming back against Spalding. We were down 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining and won the game 3-2.
What motivates you? To make myself better everyday. To be able to make a lasting impact on the world and some of the people in it.
Advice to an incoming student: Don’t worry about the transition. Just focus on going to class, learning, and having a little fun while you are doing it.
Clubs and Organizations: Men’s Soccer and Greek/Residential Life
Isabel O’Neil
Major: International Business
Minor: Accounting
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
3 words to Describe yourself: Funny, Diligent, Organized
Why Westminster?
It has a small campus feel with many opportunities that you can not find anywhere else.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I see myself working for a company that allows me to travel abroad for work and Westminster is helping to prepare me for this through various class and study abroad programs.
What is your favorite class and why?
French because not only have I enjoyed learning the language, but also learning about the culture.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
Alumni Weekend.
What Motivates You?
Knowing that I am preparing myself for sucess.
Advice to an incoming student:
You don’t need to have your whole life figured out yet.
Clubs and Organizations: Student ambassadors
Westminster Apartments
Kelsey Ray
Major: Elementary education
Hometown: Dixon, MO
Describe yourself in 3 words: Modivated, Hard working,Non-judgemental.
Why Westminster?
Westminster is such a great school to get a good education while having people make you feel at home.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how is Westminster helping you get there?
I see myself working in an elementary school as a counselor. I feel like Westminster is such a good school that what ever path I chose I will be fully prepared.
What is your favorite class and why?
Any of Dr. Bum’s classes because they are always easy to pay attention to and the time goes by so fast.
What Motivates You?
My dad. He has always taught me to give 110% and I never want to disappoint him.
Advice to an incoming student:
Live it up. Freshman was the best year I have ever had in school!
Clubs and Organizations: Woman’s basketball, Kappa Alpha Theta.
Amber Tepen
Major: Secondary Education.
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: St. Charles, MO
Describe yourself in 3 words: Athletic, Compassionate, Driven
Why Westminster? The sense of community really drew me in, and it provided me with the main aspects I was looking for in a school. These included being close to home, a small school so I could get to know my professors on a personal level, and I would be able to play softball.
Where do you see yourself after graduation and how did Westminster help you get there?
I plan to teach high school social studies and continue my education to receive a Master’s Degree.
What is your favorite class and why?
My history class with Dr. Brown has been my favorite class so far because U.S. History is one of my favorite subjects and Dr. Brown is an amazing teacher. She teaches in a way that I can remember information and review for the test instead of trying to learn the information the night before the test.
What is currently your fondest ‘Westminster’ memory?
My memories in my suite my freshman year have been some of my greatest memories at Westminster. The girls in my suite have become my best friends.
What Motivates You?
The end result being success and knowing that others will be proud of me when I get those successful results.
Advice to an incoming student: Be open to new opportunities and new people.
Clubs and Organizations: Softball Team, Student Foundation, Residential Advisor.
Get to know the Quad RAs here.
Learn more about Residential Life at Westminster here.
