Page 42 - Clearwater Christian College 2005
P. 42

M  M                                             They often arrive early to beat the




                                                                                                                       morning rush  hour, usually study in the library, and



                                                                                                                       may eat lunch in  the cafe.  Although commuters differ



                                                                                                                      from resident students, they are more active than many




                                                                                                                      people realize.  Several serve in  the Alpha Chi honor so­




                                                                                                                      ciety, some take responsibility as Greek officers, while



                                                                                                                      others participate in sports, clubs, music groups, orches­




                                                                                                                      tra, and other college activities.



                                                                                                                                      Moreover, commuters often face challenges that




                                                                                                                      resident students do not.  Congested traffic or an ex­



                                                                                                                      hausting drive frustrate some students—or simply are a




                                                                                                                      nuisance.  Allison  Francis said, “My challenge is remem­



                                                                                                                      bering to do everything on campus while I’m there.  It’s




                                                                                                                      a bit annoying having to drive back to school to turn in



                                                                                                                      a paper—its not like I can just walk across campus.”




                                                                                                                      Not always being aware of college news presents a chal­



                                                                                                                      lenge for John  Bowling.  “During one of the hurricanes,




                                                                                                                      I  had no idea school was cancelled,” he explained.  “I



                                                                                                                      went into the lobby in  Dambach and started reviewing




                                                                                                                      my notes for a quiz.”



                                                                                                                                      However, the benefits of commuting outweigh the




                                                                                                                      challenges.  Just ask Kristin Switzer.  Although she was a




                                                                                                                      resident last year,  Kristin commutes now that she is
           Com

                                                                                                                      married.  “Last year as a resident,  I certainly enjoyed
           m


                                                                                                                      dorm life.  But now,  1 still  regularly see me friends, in




                                                                                                                      addition to having my own  refrigerator, peace and qui­
           uters



                                                                                                                      etness to study.”  Family time is often most valued.



                                                                                                                      Kristin said, “1  really appreciate my husband and all that




                                                                                                                      he does for me, such as helping me with homework and



                                                                                                                                                                   cheering for me at my soccer games.




                                                                                                                                                                    He is always encouraging me to do my



                                                                                                                                                                    best in  my classes and offering to make




                                                                                                                                                                    my hectic schedule run smoothly.”


















                                                                          ..


                                                                                                                                                                                           i»sy








                                                                                                                                            Commuters do more than




                                                                                                                                            just show up for classes.



                                                                                                                                              1 hey are active in clubs,




                                                                                                                                            Greeks, sports,  music en­                                                                                                                        President  of  her  Greek,  Emily

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Pearce  brings  breakfast  for  her
                                                                                                                                            sembles, and other college
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              girls.  She  said,  “By  living  at


                                                                                                                                            activities.                                                                                                                                       home,  I  have  been  able  to  offer


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              little  ‘extras’  to  the  girls  in  PTE.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Between myself and my wonder­


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ful vice president, Charity Kneblik


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (who is also a commuter), we are


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              able              to         provide                   a         little


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ‘homecooking’ for our girls.”
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