Firstly, Geneva is a small campus, in more ways than one. The student body numbers around 1,500 and that means that during visits to Alex’s (the cafeteria) and the Brig (a smallish café), chances are that you’ll be able to find a table of friends. You will likely run into familiar faces as you move around campus from class to class. Speaking of moving from class to class, a small layout with academic buildings close to each other means that travel time is relatively short. This is particularly helpful on days when you’re running late. Alarm went off late? Throw on some clothes, grab your bookbag and make it to class with two minutes to spare. Need your fix of caffeine to stay awake in a Bible or Humanities lecture? Take ten and swing by BFCAT (Beaver Falls Coffee & Tea) or Riverview Café. Rumbly tummy in between classes? There’s probably time to run and grab a quick sandwich or snack from the Brig.
The aforementioned coffee shop BFCAT is but one of the nearby restaurants and food joints. The Sheetz gas station down the road sees much business from students looking for a cup of coffee or a midnight snack. Papa John’s and Pizza Joe do battle for the affections of pizza lovers, while the Ball Joint (gourmet meatballs and amazing fries), Chong’s Korean Cuisine and the Ice Cream Shoppe offers variety. All the above-mentioned are actually within a five-minute walk. Slightly further afield are fast-food franchises McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Subway, alongside local establishments like Beez Café, Athens Family Restaurant and the Hot Dog Shoppe. Very good news for college students with generous appetites looking for alternatives to Alex’s food.
Thirdly, Geneva has a remarkably beautiful campus that is also connected with nature. Old Main, the unofficial heart of campus which houses offices and classrooms, is more than a hundred years old. The architecture of old and new buildings is a sight to behold each day. The campus is dotted with green and students studying outdoors is a common sight in the warmer months. There have been numerous occasions when a walk through campus and a swing on the tire swing has helped clear and settle my mind after a busy day. The beauty of campus is a good reminder of God’s creation and how much more there is to life than just grades.
Fourth, the faculty and staff are part of the welcoming atmosphere of Geneva. My outstanding international admissions counsellor, Jillian Moomaw, was but a foretaste of the wonderful people I would meet working for Geneva. Her friendly and helpful personality helped convince me that Geneva was the place for me. I hesitate to start naming names, for I know I will more than likely leave a name off the list. However, I can safely say that from professors to receptionists to housekeepers and maintenance crew, I have found many friends who have helped me adjust to life in America and Geneva.
Music is one of my passions and I was able to continue pursuing it at Geneva. I got involved in Genevans, the official choir of Geneva College, at the beginning of my first year after transferring to Geneva. I heard them singing briefly during Welcome Week and I immediately was drawn to the talent and friendship on display. After a rather nervous audition, I was excited to be selected as part of the Genevans. Singing together throughout rehearsals, concerts and tour was an integral part of my school year, and it brings me an indescribable joy to sing a piece we’ve worked so hard on and have it touch and connect with our listeners. Also, listening to the smaller singing groups we have on campus is always a fun experience. The Eight Bells are a crazy and fun double barbershop quartet and their antics coupled with their strong voices are a welcome source of laughter. The Grace Notes, the female counterparts to the Eight Bells, perform with more finesse and elegance.
I heard about Humans vs Zombies (HvZ) from my upperclassmen friends and was immediately intrigued by the concept. It was campus-wide tag; it was an immersing experience that lasted a week, it was tactical, it involved Nerf guns... need I say more? For those who have yet to play, it is effectively a campus-wide game of tag that involves Nerf guns. The Humans try to survive the week armed with Nerf guns to defend themselves, against the growing group of Zombies, who roam around trying to tag Humans and thus turn them into Zombies. It taught me so much and HvZ is definitely more than just a game. It builds strong relationships and friendships; when you are trapped in a building and have to shoot your way out alongside fellow humans, you build friendships quickly. It taught me determination and time management, as you play while still trying to maintain a regular schedule of classes, homework and work. It makes you explore new parts of campus as you seek to sneak around trying to survive as a Human. It also gave me a taste of the intensity of war and how truly stressful it is. HvZ was an unexpected highlight of my year at Geneva.
Finally, Geneva makes a point to organize events for the students. One of them is Film Fest. Film Fest is a time for Geneva students who are so inclined, to submit a movie they have made and for the student body to come together and enjoy the usually hilarious results. I was involved in making a movie ("The Student Bride" – a parody of "The Princess Bride") with friends for last year’s Film Fest and it was a very interesting experience. Seeing the results of our hard work made it worth the many challenges we encountered along the way. Another fun event organized for the student body is My Generation Night. It is a campus-wide talent show and admission is free for the student body. Anyone can audition and, if selected, they perform in Metheny Fieldhouse in front of a usually appreciative audience.
These are the most prominent reasons I love attending Geneva College, and I cannot express how thankful I am to God that I am here. It's an experience like no other, and I'm certain many of my fellow Geneva students would agree.
