Graham Stearns - Colgate University
2025
The past year at Colgate University has been an unforgettable learning experience. Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia during the second semester of my junior year offered me an incredible opportunity to grow both inside and outside of the classroom. The stories and memories from that experience have carried into my senior year, and the sense of camaraderie and nostalgia on campus is at an all-time high. During my first semester this year, I completed my Environmental Studies major and Writing and Rhetoric minor. This opened space to explore new interests. The flexibility in my schedule allowed me to pursue an additional minor in Film and Media Studies, and further develop my passion for film and photography. I have dedicated much of my time to exploring this new venture and taking advantage of opportunities to learn new skills. During the semester, I co-directed, filmed, and edited a short film about Colgate’s fallen bar scene, began as a videographer and editor for Colgate’s entrepreneurship program, assisted with athletics media projects, and built relationships with local businesses to launch media content and awareness campaigns. As I enter my final semester as an undergraduate, I find myself reflecting on how fortunate I am to be in the position I am today. Three and a half years ago, I would not have believed how much value Colgate would add to my life. And I am deeply grateful for the opportunity MVYouth has given me by supporting my education, personal growth, relationships, and new experiences. I am so excited to see what my final semester has in store.
2024
This fall was my most challenging semester at Colgate so far, but was one of my most fun yet. I took pride in being an educator and role model for the new members of Theta Chi’s Iota chapter, as well as continuing as a member of the club hockey and lacrosse teams. I continued to take classes towards completing my Environmental Studies major and Writing and Rhetoric minor, and I am almost finished with the requirements for both. Spending time with the students and professors within the environmental and writing departments has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. It has allowed me to learn from people with a wide breadth of knowledge and experience from applying their skills in different fields. The wealth of perspectives and ideas has fostered an environment that has been especially beneficial to my learning as I hone in on how I will choose to apply my education after college. Although the importance of my major and minor-based classes are ramping up as I approach my final year of college, I am continuing to explore new ideas and activities. This semester I took classes studying the history of classical music and modern art. One of my favorite things about college so far has been the ability to take classes with subjects that are unfamiliar or foreign to me. As I have discovered the benefit of immersing myself in new experiences, I have chosen to study abroad in Australia during the spring semester. I will be attending the University of Sydney to continue my studies and explore their culture. I am excited to take classes surrounding their environment and ecosystem, as well as travel and discover new people and places. I would like to thank MVYouth, the donors, and all of the people who make this program possible. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me through their scholarship program which have allowed me to grow as an academic and individual. The generosity of everyone involved has given me unforgettable and irreplaceable experiences that I will forever be grateful for.
2023
So far, my sophomore year has been both demanding and rewarding. This semester I continued exploring academic disciplines and making memories with my friends. I took classes that challenged and expanded my perspectives, participated in club hockey and lacrosse, and joined Colgate’s chapter of Theta Chi. I continued living on campus, or “up the hill,” but spent plenty of time at the chapter house with my brothers. My classes this fall included concepts such as biology, environmentally-focused chemistry, studying the nature of public memory, and African-American studies. This has allowed me to have opportunities like conducting semester-long research projects and working with wildlife in the field. I declared as an Environmental Studies major in the second semester of my freshman year, but I have recently added a minor in Writing in Rhetoric. I plan to continue this track and further develop my interest in writing and environmental preservation. Additionally, I am considering taking classes in psychology as another interest I could pursue. Joining Theta Chi has been an extremely beneficial and valuable experience. I have made countless memories, shared ideas with a diverse group of people, and participated in several philanthropic and community service events. We are determined to give back to our community with small events like passing out candy on Halloween, and also involve ourselves in larger projects, like raising over $7,000 while advocating for mental health this November. I am excited to continue making memories and giving back in the coming semesters. I am so grateful for MVYouth and the opportunity they have given me to attend Colgate University. The staff, donors, and supporters of the program have given me countless experiences that I will never forget.
2022
My first semester at Colgate University has been challenging but academically and socially rewarding. I have made friends and memories that will last a lifetime, and it is easy to say that the past four months have been some of the best of my life. At first, adjusting to the workload and new environment was difficult, but after the first few weeks, it was easy to balance a successful academic and social life. The community at Colgate creates a contagious, hardworking environment and a unique bond between the student body.
I have taken the opportunity to expand my ideas and activities through clubs and events hosted by Colgate. Club hockey at Colgate has been a great athletic and social experience. It has introduced me to new people and allowed me to continue playing hockey at a competitive level. Guest speakers and alumni networks have also guided some of my current focus, connecting me with groups and organizations that include me in projects such as protecting the endangered Right Whale through policy and political efforts.
So far, I have found the liberal arts experience rewarding with exposure to diverse classes. It has allowed me to take courses that would typically be outside my comfort zone of natural sciences. Colgate University has also introduced me to new ideas through subject studies such as modernity, politics, philosophy, and other sciences. I plan to declare as an environmental studies major but will continue to explore new courses and disciplines before making my final decision. I am so grateful for the opportunity that MVYouth has given me, for supporting me through my college experience, and for the people that make this program possible.