In The Light: Jenna Weber

In The Light: Jenna Weber

Being involved in Konosioni, Gamma Phi Beta, Club Soccer, Residential Life, the Newman Community, contributing to the COVE, tutoring at Hamilton Central, being a greeter at admissions and taking classes is just a piece of how busy senior Jenna Weber is.

A double psychology and Spanish major, Weber took advantage of the study abroad option and went to Madrid her junior year.

“I really wanted that immersion experience and a home-stay,” Weber said. “The group was amazingly cohesive for such a large group, and there were some Gate House buddies from freshman year. It was a great group!”

Of course, study abroad was not the only part of the Colgate experience of which Weber took advantage. Over the summer, Weber interned in Boston on a Colgate stipend, spending the first half of the summer working with autistic patients in hospitals and the second half with autistic children at camp. Weber’s summer experience led her to current thesis work on autism in adolescence and social skills.

Weber, with her strong interest in helping others, was also drawn toward the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE). Through the COVE, Weber participated in the Side Kicks program, one of her favorites. Additionally, last year she was a COVE intern, in charge of Outreach programs and the liaison to Greek life.

“There were multiple COVE interns working on their own groups, but then we would get to do a project together, like organizing the first Celebration for Service.”

Since joining as a sophomore, Weber has been extremely involved in Gamma Phi Beta. Her sophomore year she held one of the philanthropy chair positions, and junior year she was the Panhellenic affairs Vice President. This year, Weber is the CC for the house.

“I’ve loved living in the house,” Weber said. “It is sometimes overwhelming, but it is a nice feeling when people come to you for help.”

The saddest thing about leaving Colgate for Weber is that “there aren’t going to be two lectures and a Brown bag everyday that you find intellectually stimulating – I’ll have to find something else.”

Right now, Weber is looking at a variety of options for after Colgate, from tutoring kids in Boston to teaching English in Spain or Italy. Weber was full of advice for those of us with time left at Colgate.

“Take advantage of Career Services. Travel. Go on alternative spring break trips. Read the campus distributions each week and pick one or two lectures that aren’t required but that you are interested in. Take advantage of the professors here, because they chose Colgate – they want you to come during office hours.”