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Featured student: Sam Ott, Class of '13

Like a lot of college students, Sam Ott ’13 is still sorting out what kind of career he wants. The religion major from Churubusco, Ind., says he likely will go to graduate school after Manchester, perhaps to become a research librarian specializing in religion or history, or to be a college professor of religion.

But while Sam weighs what he wants to do with life, he already knows how he wants to live it. He wants to be an example. “I hope to live in such a way that my life is my witness, an everyday activism,” explains Sam.

“I want to show people that living simply and doing small acts of love and change can have a great effect.” If people make changes in their behavior in small ways – treating people better or being good stewards of the environment – Sam believes that even small changes can make a huge impact on the world.

Clearly, Manchester has Sam thinking. In fact, he says Manchester is teaching him how to look at problems from many angles and with a broad reservoir of knowledge. The Dean’s List regular credits his professors for helping him. “They know me by name and will ask me how I am and sit and talk with me,” says Sam. “They push me to be the best student and person that I can be.”

That is, perhaps, the essence of a liberal arts education. And Sam Ott is making the most of it. “I have a greater sense of self-confidence” since coming to Manchester, reflects Sam. “I have learned to express my ideas more eloquently, and say what I believe and think with confidence.”

By Melinda Lantz ’81