By Ryder Hobbs

I conducted interviews with three of our amazing staff members: Julia Smith, Edna Kilusu, and Gerard Smikle. In my conversations with them, I learned about their incredible stories and purpose here at Gettysburg College. Their past decisions and aspirations are a reflection of what Campus Recreation strives to provide to our community: well-being for life. 

 

Julia is a junior who is an intramural supervisor and a fitness attendant at the Jaeger Fitness Center. She is a Maryland native and is a Health Sciences major, minoring in Business. Here is our interview:
How did you become interested in Gettysburg College?

"Honestly, the coach Annette Shepherd– our boss who got me my job at Campus Rec."

What made you choose Gettysburg?

"I would probably say, the small student body, the class sizes, and the ability to have close relationships with professors. Obviously, Softball was a big part of it as well.

What are you involved in on campus?

"I have two jobs here at Campus Rec, I am on the Softball Team here, and I recently just joined Chi Omega."

What do you love about Gettysburg?

"My friends and roommates. So, I'm a junior and I had to go through my first year during Covid, and it worked out for me that I didn't have roommates the past two years. This is the first year that i've had to live with other people. Growing up as an only child, I thought it was going to be awful, but it has changed my life. I love living with my roommates."

Who has been the most influential to your growth here at Gettysburg College?

"I would say Annette. She's my boss, she's my coach, and she's pushed me to be a better person."

What are your career aspirations?

"After I graduate, I'm looking to go into Medical Sales. I really want to help people in health, but I don't want to do anything with needles or blood or anything like that."

 

Next, I interviewed Edna, who is from Tanzania. She is a double major in Psychology and Anthropology, with a minor in writing. Within Campus Recreation, she holds the position of fitness supervisor. This was our interview:

How did you become interested in Gettysburg College?

"I went to High School in the US, and my college advisor was a Gettysburg Alumni. I knew I wanted a small liberal arts college."

What made you choose Gettysburg College?

"When I visited, I felt that I could really fit into the community here. I felt that I could find my way here."

What are you involved in on campus?

"I work at the Gym as a supervisor, I am a PLA in one of my psychology classes, and right now that's it."

What do you love about Gettysburg College?

"The fact that when you need something, you can get it– you just have to find it. You have to speak up for yourself and you will get the help you need."

Who has been the most influential to your growth here at Gettysburg College?

"My professors, honestly, I have grown very close to. I did not expect to have such a close connection with them, but they are relationships I will keep even after I leave here."

What are your career aspirations?

"I'm interested in mental health, and that is an issue anywhere, but it is a bigger issue where I come from because It's not talked about. I don't know of any mental health stations in the country, so my interest is to open a mental health clinic to support the women in the community. The facility will give them a space to share their struggles with each other."

Finally, I interviewed Gerard. He is from Freeport, New York and a senior majoring in physics. He is an Intramural supervisor here at Campus Recreation. Here's our chat:

How did you become interested in Gettysburg College?

"I learned about Gettysburg through football recruitment. My high school football coach thought that Gettysburg should be at the top of my list."

What made you choose Gettysburg College?

"Honestly, it was the financial aid that really helped me decide. They also have a great culture and alumni connections here. They really seem to help their students here."

What are you involved in on campus?

"I'm on the football team, I work for Campus Recreation, I'm a peer learning associate for physics, I'm involved in the BSU Fellowship, and I'm a member of SAE."

What do you love about Gettysburg College?

"I like the people here, they are really nice."

Who has been the most influential to your growth here at Gettysburg College?

"I think my advisor. I go to her a lot: I go to her when I need help finding job opportunities, I go to her when I'm looking for help in my classes. She has helped to keep me in check during my time here."

What are your career aspirations?

"Well, I'm a physics major, and I don't really know what I want to do exactly, but I know I want to work in sustainability– probably the technology part of it. I want to make a difference in climate change."