Mikey St. John

Major: Equine Business Management

Hometown: Warren, OH

Why Otterbein? Personally, I came for the cross country equestrian field that they have because I have been looking into cross country as an equestrian sport probably since I figured out that cross country could be an equestrian sport. I’m very much an adrenaline junkie, if you will, and sprinting full speed on a horse and jumping over obstacles is very adrenaline-pushing.

What I’m most excited for: I’m very excited to start jumping at all. I’ve mostly worked in western riding before coming here, so I’ve always done flat work. So, I’m very excited to start jumping.

Grace Barker

Major: Zoo and Conservation Science

Hometown: Upper Arlington, OH

Why Otterbein? Honestly, the number of programs with the specialized zoo and conservation science one, and also the smaller space and fewer students. I realized I was going to get more individualized care. Everyone was super welcoming at orientation, and I did several other visits but for some reason, Otterbein really stuck with me. People were really friendly and I think that helped a lot.

What I’m most excited for: Getting involved on campus. I want to get involved at the barn, even though I’m not in equine. I love horses. I love animals. So all of that stuff and meeting the people.

A.J. Kletchka

Major: Biology

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because it was the most supportive university for my needs, personally. Growing up, my mom always worked with large universities. Seeing the environment of those large universities, and seeing how it’s not necessarily professors teaching those classes, and how it’s really easy to lose track of individual students, really turned me off of that. Otterbein happened to be the closest university that gave me a significant scholarship. And then also, my parents were really pushing it because they saw the required programs that they have that support like, learning how to network, and actually finding a job after, instead of going out in the world and having to go back to being a cashier. I was also originally drawn to the equine program because I wanted to be a vet with the zoo and aquarium sciences, but I learned I don’t do blood. So I saw that it was still a really good school for the sciences, and so I switched to Biology.

What I’m most excited for: I’m just excited for the college experience — leaving home for the first time and being on my own.

Zeke Davenport

Major: Theatre Design and Technology

Hometown: Westerville, OH

Why Otterbein? Mainly because of the theatre aspect. They have a great program for everything in theatre and design.

What I’m most excited for: I’m really looking forward to the resources I have access to here.

Michael Gomia

Major: Fine Arts B.F.A.

Hometown: Westerville, OH

Why Otterbein? It’s local to me since I’m from Westerville, but also the access to everything around here like the Point, the stores uptown, and just how welcoming it is.

What I’m most excited for: Probably getting to start fresh, getting to know people from scratch, since there’s no one here from high school who knows me except for like two other people.

Isaac Smith

Major: Business Administration

Why Otterbein? I had a lot of different choices, but I thought Otterbein would be the best fit for me. I know my brother had gone here before, and it’s pretty close to my house but still far enough away that I can feel like I’m on my own.

What I’m most excited for: I’m mostly excited to live on my own.

Keirsten Hill

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Marietta, OH

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because one of my good friends were coming here, and I wanted to be somewhere that felt like home to me.

What I’m most excited for: I’m really excited about the atmosphere. The campus is really beautiful. I love how big it is, and I like all the new people I can meet. It’s really nice.

Kyla Jenkins

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Pickerington, OH

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because of the sense of community here. It’s really similar to what I felt at home. It’s more welcoming than a lot of the other schools I visited, and it seems like a better atmosphere for me to grow in.

What I’m most excited for: I’m most excited about the connections, for sure. I’m excited to meet new people and get accustomed to the campus life here, and just growing.

Morgan Wardell

Major: Criminology and Justice Studies

Hometown: Orient, OH

Why Otterbein? The cost! It was the cheapest for me. Lots of scholarships and financial help.

What I’m most excited for: Honestly, I’m excited to learn. I’m excited to meet new people and maybe join a club or two.

Jacqueline Smith

Major: Environmental Science

Hometown: Grove City, OH

Why Otterbein? Originally, I heard this had a pretty good science course, and I liked their labs. The cost, too — I don’t have to pay tuition, so that’s nice.

What I’m most excited for: I’m definitely excited that for a lot of my labs, I’ve heard we’ll be doing field trips for stuff related to my major. So I’m really excited for hands-on work.

Kiera Piazza

Major: Psychology

Hometown: West Jefferson, OH

Why Otterbein? It’s the cheapest option. I got a lot of scholarships and my financial aid was really good.

What I’m most excited for: I’m excited about meeting new people and getting to finally get out of the house and meet people and do new things.

Sofia Gagliardi

Major: Zoo and Conservation Science

Hometown: New Albany, OH

Why Otterbein? It’s a small school, which I liked. I’m a transfer student, last year I went to University of Minnesota, and I just wanted something that was a little bit more personal.

What I’m most excited for: Just making friends, new experiences.

Leah Lange

Major: Equine Veterinary Technology

Hometown: St. Henry, OH

Why Otterbein? They have a really good vet tech program — that’s something I’ve been interested in, and I thought I’d get more help here than I would at other schools.

What I’m most excited for: Probably getting to work in the barns and meeting new people.

Faith Withrow

Major: Business Analytics

Hometown: Lebanon, OH

Why Otterbein? It’s a small community, and I liked how everyone was so nice when I showed up. They have a wonderful equestrian program which I plan on joining — I’m minoring in Equine Business, and I want to join their equestrian team. I’m so happy I’m able to do that.

What I’m most excited for: Meeting new people.

Eva Williford 

Major: Allied Health  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because of the Allied Health program and the community.  

What I’m most excited for: First Flight  

Ce-Asia Gibson  

Major: Zoo and Conservation Science 

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because it has been my dream college since 4th grade and because of the Zoo and Conservation Science program.

What I’m most excited for: Making new friends and being on the cheer team.

Aidan Johnson  

Major: Biochemistry  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because of golf, their science program, and it’s a nice, safe area. 

What I’m most excited for: Meeting new people. 

Niya Bell 

Major: Actuarial Science

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because of my major, because it’s not very well known, and tennis. 

What I’m most excited for: Getting to meet new people and becoming my own person.

Raegan Briggs 

Major: Nursing  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because of wrestling and the Nursing program.

What I’m most excited for: Wrestling, Nursing and making new friends.

Joseph Devia  

Major: Mechanical Engineering  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because it’s close to home and I really like the Engineering program.

What I’m most excited for: Meeting new people and getting to explore my career.

Logan Bryant 

Major: Secondary Education  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein when I first toured the campus; it just felt right.

What I’m most excited for: Making connections and growing as a person.  

Cayleen Harris  

Major: Biology  

Why Otterbein? Because my sisters recommended a private college near home and heard good things about Otterbein, that it’s very welcoming and engaging and that the people here care about students.

What I’m most excited for: To get out there, socialize, and make friends.  

Amy Davis  

Major: Education  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because I heard the Education program was great and the location and the campus is nice.  

What I’m most excited for: Residence life, living here, and getting involved in things like choir.  

Angel Forester  

Major: Nursing  

Why Otterbein? I chose Otterbein because the small campus and you get the sense of community but near a big city.

What I’m most excited for: Getting involved and meeting new people and having new experiences.