Seniors, Class of 2025 Reminisce about their Collegiate Experience as Purple Raiders
August 06, 2024By Fatima Magana '22
ALLIANCE- A new academic year always fills students with nerves and uncertainty, especially rising seniors. While the last academic year in college can be hectic, finishing internships, applying for graduate school, and getting a start in a desired career path, the last year in college is meant for students to cherish their friends, professors, and campus community members. Mount Union prepares students not only to succeed in the classroom, but as professionals in the real world. Students part of the class of 2025 share their expectations for the coming academic year and their favorite memories as Purple Raiders.
Abby Franks ’25, accounting major, has gained meaningful experiences at Mount Union through the accounting program and student organizations. Taking advantage of internship opportunities and interacting with other students on campus have allowed Franks to build communication and leadership skills. She has also gained confidence to succeed in the accounting field, pursuing her CPA.
Franks '25 posing outside the Hall of Fame Village in Canton
“While I am excited to graduate, I am scared of experiencing senior-itis because I want to enjoy my last year in college,” said Franks. “I do not want to become unmotivated, therefore, with only a few required courses left to finish my major, I want to take courses outside of the accounting major to broaden my horizons.”
Stepping outside her comfort zone has allowed Franks to build lasting friendships with members of the women’s tennis team, enhance her writing skills, working on research with faculty at Mount Union. Therefore, she advises students to do the same, learning a new skill because that new skill can become your passion.
"Five years post-graduation, I see myself living comfortably in a city somewhere and working at a public accounting firm," said Franks.
Shaun Harris '25, Japanese and media double major, is excited to begin his post-gradute life in the near spring. However, filled with uncertainty, Harris foresees himself in graduate school pursuing a master's degree.
Harris '25 working at WRMU, the campus radio station
"I have been involved in multiple organizations during my time at Mount Union including Black Student Union, the Association of International Students, Japanese Club, UMU First Gen, and was able to join Alpha Mu Gamma this past semester," said Harris. "[Through Raider Student Media, I am] the morning DJ over summer and winter breaks."
Proud of the real-world experiences he has taken advantage of, Harris credits faculty in the English, history, and media departments for the in-class concepts taught to him. His lengthy trajectory which helped him build a skillset and network system will help him establish himself in a metropolitan city as a professional.
[The skills I've gained through my majors] will definitely be useful to me as I do hope to eventually move abroad to Japan in the future.
Ashton Knappenberger ’25, English, public relations, and Spanish triple major, is excited to guide and serve the class of 2025 as class president this coming fall. She looks forward to working with other class officers to offer a fun and memorable senior year to their peers as well as ease their transition from college students to alumni.
Knappenberger '25 at a campus event
While Knappenberger reminisces on her experience at Mount Union, she is grateful for the network opportunities her three majors gave her as they have opened doors like conducting research with Dr. David Thiele, English professor while building a skillset in the public relations field with Dr. Andrea Ferraro, associate professor of communication.
If I had to pick only one memory as a favorite, I would say working Preview with my friends is in my top three Mount Union memories because I’ve become super close with other Preview (and now Orientation) Guides who dedicate a lot of time to training and onboarding new Raiders and expand the campus community.
While these seniors and the rest of the Class of 2025 are filled with emotions such as uncertainty and nerves as their senior year approaches, they cannot wait to continue making memories with their loved ones on campus as well as prepare to begin their lives post-graduation this coming spring.