Humanities Division - Life After MC

Alumni Highlight

Courtney Washburn

Name: Courtney Washburn (Class of 2010)
Major: Religion
Current employer: AmeriCorps
Current title: Outreach Coordinator  

What are you doing these days?
I am a CAC AmeriCorps member [through Knoxville Community Action Committee], serving the community through environmental education. As a first year AmeriCorps member, I spent my service educating children and adults  in Blount County at Keep Blount Beautiful about environmental issues and concerns. As a second year member, I am serving my community at The University of Tennessee in the Sustainability Office. This year I am engaging with students as the Outreach Coordinator, teaching and educating about the importance of sustainability in our everyday lives.

How did MC prepare your role as an educator and advocate?
MC taught me to be successful and to make a difference. That is exactly what I am trying to do now, make a difference in my community. MC gave me the tools and resources to do just that. I became involved with the environmental club at MC, giving me the experience and connections I needed. My classes also required a lot of class presentations and public speaking. These presentations have helped me in my service today. I am constantly giving presentations and speaking in front of groups of people.

What was your favorite class at MC? 
My favorite class was Southern Appalachian Religion. I love Southern Appalachian Religion because it is an interest of mine, but also because of the resources available in this area. It was a very hands-on class, helping me to understand the culture and religion so much more. In fact, this class inspired me in my thesis. This was also the smallest size class I attended in my four years at MC.
 

What do you think makes an MC education unique? 
The relationship students get to have with Faculty and Staff at the college. The professors are rooting for you. If I didn't understand something, I felt comfortable enough to ask any of the professors for help or advice. They were always there to teach, listen, or mentor. This comfortable atmosphere not only helped me learn more, knowing someone was on my side, but it also encouraged me to push myself and strive to better. . I loved my time at Maryville College. MC gave me the resources and outlets to express my opinion, chase my dreams, and discover my passions. I know that I am continuing to learn and grow into the person I want to be. However, I am who I am today because of my time at MC.


 

Graduate/ Career Data:

NAME MC DEGREE FIELD INSTITUTION/LOCATION
Shuler, Darren Anthony "Tony" History Attorney with Spalding and King law firm Atlanta, GA
Ballou, A. J. Religion Ph.D. in American history (in process) Boston University, MA
Weiss, Mike History History Teacher & Coach Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte, NC
Walker, Melissa History Ph.D. in History Clark University, Worcester, MA
Weaver, Paul Religion Master of Divinity Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Winter, Rachel Elizabeth Religion Campus Minister, Presbyterian Student Fellowship First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, AL
Hoover, Amy History Teach for America, Star teacher @ elementary school Houston, TX
Obermiller, Eric History & Religion M.A. in Religious Studies Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO
Cole, Amye Religion Former Gender Justice Issues Coordinator to the United Nations. Now the Associate Director of Admissions at Sierra Nevada College Incline Village, NV
McCarty, Christopher History Attorney with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop Law Firm Knoxville, TN
Buchert, Thiago History M.A. in History McGill University, Montreal
Oatts, Ashleigh History M.A. in Public History MTSU
Christians, Sarah (Jamison) History American Studies Purdue University
Ruehling, Bobby History Divinity Degree Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
McDonald, Kathryn History M.A. – Art History U. of Cincinnati, OH
Roberts, Ryan History M.A. in History University of Central Florida
West, Summar History M.A. in Humanities University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Powell, Katy Religion MA in Religion and Public Life University of Leeds – United Kingdom
Allen, Robertson (Robbie) History Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology University of Washington, Seattle
Coy, Daniel History M.A. in History UTK
Manning, Christopher History M.A. in European History UTK
Ketchum, Put History J.D. Vanderbilt University, Nashville
Roitman, Jessica Religion M.A. Latin American Studies Vanderbilt University, Nashville
Snyder, Scott History HS Soccer coach; “NSCAA 2006 Coach of the Year” for the state of Georgia Westminster Schools, GA