Jerome Edward Burgess II ’10
Biology
Rochester, NY
“I arrived unmolded and unshaped. I lacked rigidity. I now have the concepts to mold a better person and servant of God in any capacity.”
During my college search, I was looking for a perfect fit. I needed an environment conducive to self-reflection as well as social interaction and of academic growth. Honestly, I have found that place at Concordia College.
I have discovered that so many of the ideas and concepts I learn in the various classes I take allow me to better connect with the world. Concordia has given me the understanding, through a liberal arts education, to communicate with the world effectively. The balance that is stressed in the education one receives at Concordia allows an individual to become involved in the many discussions that are taking place in the world.
I chose Biology because I had a strong desire to help many people through knowledge and service. I think that not only my appreciation for science has grown, but also my capacity to understand vocation and employ services has also grown. I found that all the professors in the Biology department were helpful as well as motivating. I would love to move on to teaching science and further down the road I would love to become a medical doctor.
Being President of the Student Government Association has been my best experience so far. This is because I have been able to see and actively influence the future of some students. I believe the path towards education is like a herd in a pasture: we should all be moving towards greater education and experiences collectively. I have also been changed by former Presidents of the SGA; Sondra Noer and Johanna Perry have helped shaped me into a strong and intelligent young man. I just hope I have done the same for others.
I was pleasantly surprised by the strong sense of community that I have discovered at Concordia. Nowhere else in the world can compare to the feeling of walking around the campus. Everyone knows your name, they wave, they smile, and everyone is genuine. It is difficult to capture such peace and friendliness, however at Concordia I was surprised to see that it was standard; it was expected that everyone will be friendly.
The tremendous growth has to be what makes me happiest about my experience at Concordia. Personally I came to Concordia because I just had a feeling about the place. That feeling has benefited me greatly as I have learned to self-motivate and self-elevate. Concordia, because of its size, is like a small paradise in Bronxville, with a unique culture that requires adjusting. I can definitely see how I have changed to better fit the campus culture. Getting used to being personal with people on a daily basis has refined my social skills as well as my sense of appropriateness and morality. This I feel has better prepared me for adjusting to the next level of success: my career.
I hope to go to graduate school and eventually medical school. However, first I would like to teach Science in the New York’s Fellow program so that I fulfill my duties to God and the state; returning the gift of education bestowed upon on me.