What Students Really Say About Farmington


How did you hear about Farmington?
My best friend from high school was a music student here, and I came and visited and she told me about the Rehabilitation Services program. I talked to her and some of her friends about the program and I really got interested and ended up applying to transfer here.

What are some of the interesting classes in your Rehabilitation Services major?
I have really enjoyed Karen Barrett [Assoc. Professor of Rehabilitation]. In her Disabilities class I learned a lot about limitations and it helps you deal with people that have disabilities. One of the really eye-opening moments was learning what it was like — first-hand — to live in a wheelchair. That assignment was not only a great classroom lesson, but a life-lesson as well. Very memorable.
                                                      
What are some interesting Theater classes?
For theater, I would have to say Stage Make-Up class — it was so fun. I really enjoy doing stage make-up. Like for the campus production of "Hot L Baltimore" it was my job to make one of the student actors look like a 70-year old man. And today we were doing quick-change make-up, where I had to make a character look really badly bruised. Now, given the right make-up, I can make anybody look like they’ve been seriously beaten up. [laughs]

Do any other classes stand out?
I would have to say Bert Jacob’s [Professor of Psychology] Death and Dying class. It sounds kind of morbid, but it’s an amazing class. Both my parents are deceased and I’ve dealt with a lot of death in my life. In fact, one of the things I want to do with my Rehab degree is become a grief counselor. In the beginning of the class, students talked about their experiences with death. Later, we learned about different cultural perspectives on death — in India or Mexico.It was a very intense class, but for me, very meaningful.

Do any of your professors stand out?
Karen Barrett is one of the best. I can't wait to take another class with her. She really relates to her students and gets you to engage in what we’re talking about. 

When I was looking at Farmington, I actually sat in on a class my friend Beth was taking. [Professor of Music] Steven Pane was teaching, and he was really fun to listen to. He was a really good teacher. I just jumped right in, raised my hand and answered questions. Bert Jacobs is another good one. He has so much charisma. I guess you’d have to sit in one of his classes to know.

What attracted you to Farmington?
When I visited, everybody was very nice, and I thought the campus was really pretty. I’m from Brunswick — where Bowdoin college is — which is a small college town and Farmington reminds me of home in a way. I remember walking through campus the first time. I’ll always remember the library green, and the Farmington bell sculpture, and walking up that path by the tree and heading to Merrill Hall. It was just so pretty. It stayed with me. So I went home, applied and got accepted.

Do you live in the residence halls? How do you like it?
Yes, it’s weird, but I love living in the dorms. I don’t have to worry rent or bills like paying for an apartment. Everything’s right here — the Fitness Center is right out my back door, and the dining hall, and the library. Everything’s right here. I live in the year-round dorm, so I can stay in Farmington during summers, too.

Do you participate in residence hall activities?
Movie nights! We get together, pick a couple movies, get popcorn, cookies, whatever, and do that. Every week there are two nights where friends come downstairs from the 4th floor of Dakin and we’ll do TV Night, too. People just come by my room and hang out. I love to do arts and crafts and knitting, too. So we do some scrapbooking, and arts and crafts nights.

Do you participate in campus events?
I like to go to some of The Landing events like the stand-up comedians. A couple of them they’ve had have been really, really funny.  The Halloween Dance was the best dance that they’ve had, and then they did the formal dance, which was really fun. They’ve had concerts; I went to those when I was a DJ for WUMF.

You were a DJ for WUMF?
Yeah, I went to the DJ meeting and became a DJ with one of my friends. I was “The Transfer,” because I was a transfer student and we did a radio show called The Drive Through -- which was for Drive Through records, because we’re fans of the punk bands that were on that label. But we also played a lot of other music and had guests sometimes. It was just a really fun thing to do

Are you involved in any other campus organizations?
Yes, I'm involved with Theatre UMF as well as the Sandy River Players, the local community theater group. I designed the make-up for "Fiddler on the Roof" and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." And I acted in it as well. I love to knit. So, I’m a member of the student club, Stitch ‘n’ Bitch. And I’m the vice-president of Alpha Psi Omega which is a theater honor society.

What else do you do for fun in Farmington?
 In the summer, tubing down the Sandy River’s always really fun. I love walking down to Main Street and going shopping or going to the movies. In the summertime, there’s a farmer’s market where you can get fresh eggs, and cheese, and fresh vegetables. I love to cook, so that’s really fun to do. We’ve gone swimming at Clearwater Lake and Smalls Falls. There’s hiking through the woods and just hanging out with friends.

How would you describe the community at Farmington?
This school is really a good place for people to be themselves. Everyone’s really easy-going. And I like that. It’s just a really homey atmosphere, and it’s a very safe place as well. I really feel at home here.

What are your plans after graduation?
I’d like to get a Master’s in Social Work. I’ve talked to a couple different professors here and they think it's a good direction for me. It would also open more doors as far as jobs go. Doing make-up in theater is one of my favorite things to do, so I might go to a year at a make-up art school. Id like to end up staying here in Farmington and giving back to the community, maybe use my experiences to make a difference in people’s lives right here.