People at KSC

Riley, Samantha, and Jackie share at least two things in common; their family and their love of sports. The three Benson children have been playing sports since a very young age, and it shows. They are also lucky to have the support of their athletic parents, who rarely miss any of their three childrens’ games.

Visit Keene State Today online to read the full article on the Benson Family.

Hometown: Schenectady, N.Y.
Major: Health Promotion and Fitness
What I like about my major: There is always something new and interesting to learn.
Favorite professor: Chris Miles
Activities: Women’s Basketball team, organization of wellness leaders, student athletic committee, bodyworks staff.
KSC has changed me in this way: This school has challenged me, forced me to work hard for everything I wanted, and made me a better person.
I picked KSC because: The KSC campus here is so inviting and the people are very welcoming. I’ve never felt more comfortable.

Hometown: Westbrook, Conn.
What I like about my major: My professors have been so dedicated and personable in my major. I have learned so much and be-come friends with so many of my teachers.
Activities: Teaching Assistant, tour guide, Tutor, Orientation Staff leader, peer advisor, field hockey team (freshmen year), NSTA vice president, Biology Club, Senior Facility Supervisor at Spaulding Gymnasium
Things I do with my friends: Watch our favorite television shows, make dinner, and eat together
Favorite book: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Favorite film: Bull Durham
Favorite music: John Mayer
Research project:I worked with Dr. Bergman with genetics and then conducted fruit fly research the second semester.
KSC has changed me in this way: Independence, freedom, adulthood, responsibility, time management, academic interest
The one thing I’m proudest of: My involvement with the Americorps program Breakthrough Collaborative. I taught middle school students biology, physical science, and technology.

Hometown: Laconia, N.H.
Major: I am constructing my own major, which is an exciting process. I have interests in literature and writing, and hope to be-come a published author. I would also like to have cross-cultural/cross-gendered perspectives to draw upon in my works.
Activities: KSC Male A Capella Singers, president/founder; KSC Pride, secretary; KSC Anthropological Society; Gay-Straight Activists for Social Justice; Common Ground; Spanish Club
Things I do with my friends: Go for coffee and walks, watch movies, and play cards
Favorite book: Children of Dune
Favorite film: The Mothman Prophecies
Favorite music: Al Green
The one thing I’m proudest of: I’m proud to be the first in my family to attend college.
KSC has changed me in this way: Independence, freedom, adulthood, responsibility, time management, academic interest
I picked KSC because: It’s a beautiful place in the heart of nature and not far away from home.

Hometown: Salem, N.H.
Favorite class: Applied Trumpet with Jim Boccia
Activities: Student Government, tour guide, KSC Concert Band, KSC Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, NSCS, Leadership Com-munity Review team member.
Things I do with my friends: We like to hang out, go into town, have fun and just relax.
I picked KSC because: I chose KSC because the campus was bustling and people seemed to be enjoying themselves everywhere. I have never regretted attending this institution.
I recommend KSC because: It is a great liberal arts college and has a great campus. Student life is vibrant, and the professors care about us. There is something for everyone on campus to participate in and you will meet a lot of new people.

Hometown: Wentworth, N.H.
Major: Individualized, Behavioral Biology
What I like about my major: There are so many subfields (such as criminal justice and social disorders) that keep me interested.
Activities: Anthropology Club, Student Activities Council, and the Feminist Collective. I also have a job at the Olive Garden in Keene.
Things I do with my friends: Walk Main Street, get coffee at Brewbaker’s, sit on the Quad, listen to music, and take the shuttle to Target!
The one thing I’m proudest of: Getting the Dean’s scholarship
I recommend KSC because: It offers an amazing array of opportunities for the individuals who come to study here. Whatever you want to do with your life, Keene State has the resources to help you reach your goals.
Personal goal: Earn my master’s degree.
KSC has changed me in this way: I’ve made so many new friends. My professors and academic advisor make me feel so empowered. I have definitely become more aware of myself mentally and physically since coming here.
I picked KSC because: When I was on my campus tour, I immediately saw people I knew, places that looked interesting, and clubs and classes that sounded great. I knew that I would fit in here perfectly.

Hometown: Rollinsford, N.H.
What I like about my major: The computer industry is ever changing and always providing me with new challenges.
Faculty mentor: Dr. Foster has always amazed me with the amount one person can know about an area of study.
Favorite website: www.apple.com
Activities: Student Body Vice President, KSC Jazz Ensemble, SAULBrothers Jazz Quintet
Things I do with my friends: Play pool
Favorite book: The Google Story
Favorite music: Glenn Miller Band
I’m proudest of: Running my own computer repair company
International Exchange: I will be going abroad to Scotland in Spring 2008!
I recommend KSC because: It is everything you could want in a small liberal arts college. It offers anything you can look for, from clubs to areas of study.
KSC has changed me in this way: KSC has strengthened my leadership skills and taught me how to take criticism, learn from my mistakes, and be a better person.

KEENE, N.H. 1/4/10 – Keene State didn’t have a women’s basketball game scheduled on Thursday, but that didn’t stop Kristin Degou from accomplishing something that has never been done at the College – becoming KSC’s first two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic District All-America.
Degou, a first-team selection, will now have her named placed on the national ballot. Scott Jensen, a former cross country and track standout at Keene State, earned national academic All-America honors in 2000.
Degou, a senior guard from Newburyport Mass., is just as proud of her numbers in the classroom as the ones on the court. “I just try to put the same attitude and effort into my academics as I do with basketball,” said Degou, a biology major with an impressive 3.87 GPA. “The hours in the library and on the court add up. I set goals and really work hard to accomplish them. It feels great when the hard work pays off.”
Keene State Head Coach Keith Boucher said he wasn’t surprised to hear about Degou’s honor. “Kristin goes about everything with an unbelievable passion,” he said. “She has an incredible work ethic. That’s why she excels in all facets of her life.” Read the rest of this entry »

Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.

Major: Sustainable Product Design and Innovation

What I like about my major: It will help me incorporate my desire to make things and save the Earth.

Faculty mentors: Rick Foley and Lisa Hix both desire the success of the new sustainable product design and innovation major. I dig that.

Favorite class: Inventing Your Own Way with Rick Foley

Activities: Environmental Outing Club and Campus Ecology

Things I do with my friends: Snowboard, rock climb, hike Mt. Monadnock to watch the sun rise, swim in the Ashuelot in the middle of the night

Favorite book: A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson

Favorite film: Hook

Favorite music: Radiohead

I picked KSC because: I wanted access to the mountains to snowboard and hike as much as I could. Also, I have family in the area.

Personal and career goals: I’d like to explore life to its fullest and be happy.

I wrote my application essay about: My little brother and me

I recommend KSC because: When the weather is right, this town can be one of the most beautiful places one will ever see. There is a lot of potential to partake in outdoor recreation; you just need to have the desire to explore.

Hometown: Swanzey, N.H.

Major: Design and Technical Theatre

Faculty mentor: Craig Lindsay - he has been a professor, boss, co-worker, and friend. He has taught me a lot of what I know today, and continues to push me to do more.

Favorite class: Production Process - this is where it all happens!

Activities: Theatre, theatre, and more theatre!

KSC scholarship: KSC Enrichment Scholarship

I recommend KSC because: It’s a great community, and the professors all seem to have a genuine passion for what they teach.

Personal and career goals: “Do what you like; like what you do.” Have a family and work as a technical director in a good theatre. I have already begun work in my field. I have worked for a year as a technical director for MoCo Arts (formerly The Moving Company), an educational, multi-arts center here in Keene. It has given me a place to really practice and reinforce things I am learning at KSC.

KSC has changed me in this way: KSC has taught me how to make my own decisions and not be afraid to try new things.

Independent study: I am working as assistant technical director for the Theatre and Dance Department at the College.

What I like about my major: I love seeing all the different people and aspects come together, and then seeing how it affects other people. I also find great joy in the hands-on approach. Plus, since theatre deals with so many different aspects of life, I really get to learn a little about everything!