It has been two weeks since Wabash College welcomed a select group of 25 students from across the country into the Wabash Liberal Arts Immersion Program Summer Institute.
All of the students attending the program qualify as students of color, are Pell Grant recipients and or are first-generation students going to college. The program, which continues through July 31, helps students adjust to campus life before officially starting their first semester in August.
Two of the students — Oscar Jacome Huesca and Nathan Allen — didn’t have far to travel. The pair are from Crawfordsville and are good friends, having met through the robotics program at Crawfordsville High School. Both graduated from CHS and deciåded to attend Wabash College largely based on the scholarship opportunities they each received.
Huesca, a first-generation student, is interested in studying music. He plays the saxophone and plans to join the college band. He also likes playing video games and recently started to play chess.
Allen chose Wabash because he feels a strong connection with the college. His grandfather was a professor there. His area of study is currently undecided. He likes to craft when he has free time.
Both Huesca and Allen decided to participate in the summer institute to make good use of their summer vacation.
“I wasn’t going to be doing anything this month anyway,” Allen said. “I shouldn’t lay around all summer, and I thought it would be interesting.”
Earning a college credit as part of the program interested Huesca.
Both are taking the public speaking class and agree the class is rigorous.
“It is definitely a step up from high school,” Allen said.
Sometimes the pair has a difficult time staying up late to finish their class assignments. However, they both agree it is preparing them for real college life.
“I am enjoying it so far,” Huesca said. “It is a lot of hard work, but it is rewarding.”
Although both are from Crawfordsville and can return home easily, they plan to remain on campus because they believe they need to live out of their comfort zone and prepare for college life.
“I’ve definitely been a little homesick,” Allen said. “Sometimes I just really want to go home and see the cat.”
However, both are becoming more confident about themselves and the semester college years ahead thanks to the support of the program’s tutors, mentors, faculty and staff.
For more information about the WLAIP, visit online at https://www.wabash.edu/wlap/home.
