Meet A Parent
Meet Joe and Nancy Kimmel from Paoli, Indiana
Students' names and graduation year:
Chase – 2007
Luke – 2003
Garth – 2002
When and how did you and your child first hear about Hanover College?
We have known about Hanover for many years and always liked the campus. We had read about it in Presbyterian Publications. Joe had actually visited the campus in 1972. Admissions personnel visited Paoli High School and told our boys about the college.
Why did your children decide to attend Hanover?
1. Size – wanted a small college.
2. Liberal Arts – value of liberal arts education.
3. Hanover's academic strength and involvement of faculty in student learning.
4. It was a good hour from our home – close but not too close.
Hanover College is often described as a "community" or even a "family." Do you agree? If you do, what makes it so?
Absolutely! Our children have gotten to know and appreciate so many people on campus in addition to other students. The custodial staff, security staff, kitchen and dining hall staff as well as faculty in departments where they have not taken courses, have all, at one time or another, "looked out for" and helped our children. They have been our extended family. Faculty and administrators are truly available to students.
As parents that have had more than one child attend Hanover College, describe why this has been the right decision for your family.
We have felt very comfortable leaving our sons in the care of Hanover staff for their education. Faculty and staff genuinely want each student to be successful. The high academic standards and the variety of ways "student voice" is included in campus decisions have both been meaningful to our sons. Student input is not just invited, it is sought. The opportunity for spiritual development is also available. The liberal arts education has provided them opportunities to learn in areas they never knew existed.
How has Hanover changed since your first child was a student on campus? Please give examples.
The Academic Vision was not in place when our first son entered college. Also, there is now more opportunity for study abroad. At that time there were no co-ed dorms. The library is now open more hours.
Describe a typical visit with your child on campus, what do you do?
We always eat in the Campus Center with him and his friends. We visit his room (and straighten it up a bit – while he rolls his eyes.) Often we go for a walk, visit the bookstore, and review with him his campus activities. There is often a campus event we attend together.
Are there ways you intend to support the Academic Vision of Hanover College?
We do support the Academic Vision. One way we do this is by encouraging our son to "think outside the box," try different experiences, take different courses, take advantage of the wide variety of student organizations on campus, and meet people who are not just like yourself – who are from different cultures, different religions, and different life experiences.
Do you favor the direction the college is heading with the Academic Vision?
Absolutely!
Tell me about the development of your children as they advanced through their educations at Hanover?
The have all become more self-directed. We have seen a quest for knowledge that is beyond striving for a grade on a paper. There has been a tremendous increase in both their reading and writing abilities. This is significant in light of our concerns that at least one of our sons may not have had the reading/writing skills to be able to "keep up" at Hanover. They have sought out individual faculty for help as well as initiated study group formation. Each of our sons had a different reaction to Hanover initially: One of them loved it immediately, plunging in to a variety of activities, and planned a semester in Australia. One was initially very cautions and homesick. One was a bit overwhelmed with all the activity and independence, calling home most days in the first six weeks. They all adjusted with support of their RA's, getting to know other students, and reaching out to staff.
What do you consider to be the number one benefit of a Liberal Arts education?
A Liberal Arts education provides the opportunity to become an educated, hardworking, broadminded, well-rounded individual who will look at more than one side of people, issues, values, and beliefs.
Do you believe your child will be prepared to face today's job market upon graduation?
Yes, …to date 2 out of 2 graduates are doing well. So far so good!
Please share a memorable experience you have had with faculty or staff at Hanover College.
Several memorable experiences come to mind, one in particular. One of our sons started out pre-med, which landed him in Dr. Bruyninckx's Biology class. Our son absorbed so much more than just Biology from Dr. B. We think student's access to Dr. B is outstanding. He is truly an "educated" man, able to be passionate in his teaching and willing to pass on his passion to students – above and beyond what is required of a teacher. This has been truly inspiring to our son and us.
What would you say to other parents who have a child considering attending Hanover College?
Hanover College IS NOT an oversized, mammoth college, where your young adult (our "kids") can get lost in classrooms of several hundred students taught by a graduate assistant. IT IS what a Liberal Arts education ought to be in size, scope, and staff commitments to students and education.
Meet Parents Randy and Jan Siepler
