The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Callie Wildenthaler, a 2020 recipient of one of the eighteen Margaret and Donald Wenner, MD Scholarship awards.
Callie, the daughter of Christopher and Andrea Wildenthaler, is a 2015 graduate of Galion High School. She will be entering her fourth year of a bachelor’s degree in general zoology at Ohio Wesleyan University this fall.
What is your favorite aspect of college life?
“My favorite aspect of college life is being surrounded by individuals who have different interests, passions, beliefs, and values from the ones I have. I like engaging with individuals different than myself.”
Would you say most of your learning comes from inside or outside of the classroom?
“I would say that the majority of my learning comes from outside the classroom. Experiences outside the classroom, such as my study abroad experience and various internships, allow you to apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to the real-world and real-life scenarios. This is ultimately the most rewarding way to learn.”
What new interest or courses of study have you discovered at college?
“While being at college, I have pursued courses of interest in social anthropology. As a zoology major, courses dealing with race issues, housing shortages, and other societal problems are not required for my degree. They caught my interest early on and have continued to be an interesting area of study for me throughout my time at OWU.”
In what ways has the college experience changed/improved you?
“The college experience has changed me in several ways by expanding upon my ability to problem-solve and think critically in a more independent way. College has helped me and improved me by giving me the knowledge and tools necessary to be an engaged and contributing member of our society.”
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
“My advice for an incoming college freshman would be to keep an open mind. Classes, beliefs, societal issues – all of these things will differ from your expectations and keeping an open mind can change your entire perspective and experience for the better.”
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Callie!
To learn more about the scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org.
