As we celebrate Elizabethtown College’s 125th anniversary, we’re sharing the favorite stories of our alumni, students, staff, and faculty during their time at Etown. Whether it’s a funny anecdote from your dorm days, a moment of mentorship from a class or professor, or a standout experience from a campus event, these stories submitted by members of the Blue Jay community not only commemorate the rich history of our institution but also serve as a reminder of the lasting impact that Elizabethtown College has had on the lives of so many individuals.
Tara Moore ’01 (English-Professional Writing Major) – Associate Professor of English at Elizabethtown College
I remember walking from Nicarry to Wenger with a professor, Dr. Downing, in the spring of 2000 when I was a junior English major. Dr. Downing was praising a paper I had submitted, and he encouraged me to consider going to graduate school. That was the first time I had even considered that career path. He told me to have the confidence to give it some thought, and I did. I ended up spending five glorious – if a bit intense! – years in graduate school to earn my Ph.D.
I would never have had the opportunity to dig so deeply into the world of advanced literary studies if we had not had the important mentoring conversation. I’ve been teaching undergraduates myself now for 22 years, eight of which have been at Etown. Two books, dozens of articles, and hundreds of lessons later, I’m so grateful that I attended Etown where professors take the time to coach their students in and out of the classroom.
Be a part of the celebration of 125 years of excellence at Etown by sharing your Etown story.