Claudia Coffey, a freshman from Hebron, Ohio, has chosen to major in biology with a musical theatre minor. Although it may seem like an odd juxtaposition, majoring in the sciences while minoring in the arts is one of the benefits of attending a small, liberal arts university.
For Claudia, Muskingum offered all she was looking for in a college: “It was small, so I knew I would get the care and quality attention that every student deserves. It had all of the activities that I enjoyed and wanted to continue such as Wind Ensemble and Theatre. It had my major and when I met the Biology staff I knew they were approachable and respectable. I knew that I would get the help I needed. It wasn’t too far from home. It also gave me scholarship money, which I knew would be very important, especially because I also plan on going to medical school. And with all of this schooling, I could have graduated with an unthinkable debt on my back. Muskingum gave me a great opportunity to not have to worry so much about how I’m going to pay, so I can actually focus on my education.”
Claudia plays trumpet in Wind Ensemble and the Brass Quintet, sings in Musical Theatre Ensemble, and performed with the Theatre Department in their last show: Almost, Maine. She works in the costume shop and participates in Muskingum Players as well. She’s pledging Alpha Sigma Alpha and is involved with CRU.
Although Claudia was nervous for college, she “was set” once Opening Weekend ended and she had made new friends. “I absolutely love it here and I’m constantly urging my high school friends to apply. I already consider it my second home and that’s more than I ever could have asked for.”
Claudia was surprised to find so many activities at Muskingum. “For a person like me who enjoys being involved, it was a bit overwhelming to go from a small high school with very little going on to the Involvement Fair here, when the entire Quad is taken up by activities. I definitely had to learn what my priorities were so that I didn’t overwhelm myself, but I feel like I have taken on a good amount of extra-curricular activities and time-management has helped me enjoy my time here so far.”
Claudia says she is “thankful for the sense of community and family that’s instilled here. You’re encouraged to get involved. There’s an expected ‘Muskie Hello’ that you exchange as you walk through campus. And it’s always appropriate to go out of your way for a fellow Muskie. There’s a bond here that I’ve never known anywhere else. Muskingum is a special place.”
Claudia shares great advice for high school seniors: “Muskingum always showed me just how important I was with scholarships, a constant flow of information, and an overall attitude of welcome. Choose a school that makes you proud of who you are. There were schools that I looked into that made me feel unimportant, powerless, and small. But Muskingum always gave me the feeling of ‘I can do this.’ That’s important for a place where you’ll build yourself into the person you want to be. It is a big decision, but when the time comes, you’ll know exactly where you’re supposed to be. That happened to me and with each new day Muskingum manages to show me just how right my decision was.”