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Student Snapshot: Matthew Harrington ’25 

Matthew Harrington ’25 (economics) began his college career at a large university, and it wasn’t a perfect fit. A gap year working the night shift as an emergency medical technician sharpened his time-management skills and narrowed his focus so that when he transferred to Dickinson, he was ready to meet the new challenges head on. During his busy first year on campus, Harrington was named a tour guide and Admissions Fellow and vice president of men’s club volleyball. He also conducted student-faculty research. Below, Harrington discusses the factors that influenced his decision to transfer to Dickinson, his love of volunteerism, how he explores his creative side and the welcoming vibe he encountered from his very first time on campus.

Hometown:

Avon, Ohio.

Major:

Economics.

Clubs and organizations:

Admissions Fellow, Liberty Cap Society (tour guide), Economics Major Committee, men’s club volleyball (vice president) and Economics Club.

On choosing Dickinson:

I chose Dickinson for many reasons, but generally it was because Dickinson has a smaller student population, it's in the quaint college town of Carlisle, it has strong academics with great faculty, there are lots of opportunities for engagement and it has a reputation for a friendly, accepting student population.

Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:

From the moment I stepped on campus last fall, I felt welcomed. It was a completely different atmosphere than the 15,000+ student-population university I attended prior to Dickinson. When walking around campus, people would give me a smile, nod or wave. This friendliness captivated me, and it presented itself constantly: People in my classes became my best friends, and professors not only taught but sparked motivation and engaged with me. The people on my volleyball team became like a family. The people truly do make the place, and I am proud and happy to call Dickinson home.

Best thing about my major:

I’d say the faculty. They are not only qualified but also passionate, and they are here to help students succeed. Senior Lecturer in Economics Tricia Hawks, my advisor and first lecturer within the major, helped spark my interest in the field through her Introduction to Microeconomics course. Later, I learned from Professor of Economics Ebru Kongar, Associate Professor of Economics Andrew Farrant and Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics Ye Jiang through courses that covered topics like feminist economics, intermediate microeconomic theory and macroeconomics.

Hobbies/passions:

I have a passion for volunteerism. In the past, I volunteered at the Cleveland Clinic, the American Red Cross and a local food bank. And through Global Volunteers, I helped serve the people of the Blackfeet reservation in Browning, Montana. More recently, I joined the alumni council of my high school, Lake Ridge Academy in North Ridgeville, Ohio. I also like to surf and play basketball, tennis and ping-pong. At Dickinson, I have been taking guitar lessons—that’s been a lot of fun.

Favorite class:

Creative Writing: Poetry & Fiction with Charles A. Dana Professor of Creative Writing Susan Perabo. I chose to take this class during my first semester at Dickinson because I thought I would enjoy a class that stimulated creativity. It ended up being a treat—the assignments constantly had us being, well, creative! I was getting credit to take part in a collaborative writing environment where I could develop my skills, get critiques and have fun. This class ended up solidifying my joy in writing, and I will continue my studies by taking Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction.

Fun facts about me:

I speak French. I performed in a musical, at a community theatre, over my gap year! I have a twin brother.

Favorite professor:

Every professor that I have had at Dickinson, and I really don’t know if I have a favorite. But if I can highlight just one, I will say Visiting Professor of Anthropology Alyson Caine. After the second day of class, I met with her during her office hours to introduce myself, and after over an hour of conversation, she informally offered me a research opportunity for the spring. I worked as a research assistant for her through the Dana Research Assistantship. It was a great learning experience, and I developed a lot of marketable skills.

Most important thing I’ve learned so far:

Trust your gut.

ºìÐÓÖ±²¥app my research:

During the spring 2024 semester I worked as a Dana Research Assistant for Dr. Caine to research vitamin D deficiency at Lisht. I collected, organized and read literature regarding vitamin D deficiencies, particularly changes associated with genu valgum: the inward bowing of the tibiae. The literature included clinical and paleopathological studies, providing an overview of prehistoric and historic experiences of vitamin D deficiency alongside living populations’ experiences of this metabolic disorder. I organized photos of skeletal elements and individuals exhibiting evidence of possible genu valgum, and I measured the severity of genu valgum from photographs and recorded this data in Excel. I decided to pursue the assistantship to gain experience and to learn more about research methods. It’s definitely an added bonus that there's a chance that we may even present at a conference next year, so that would be really exciting!

Advice for younger students:

Take school seriously. Call your family, hug your friends, try not to isolate yourself in your dorm room and go to office hours!

Proudest accomplishment so far:

I’d say my proudest accomplishment so far has been getting to where I am today. I graduated high school in 2020 and attended a medium-sized public university for two years. It wasn’t the best fit. I took a gap year in 2022, working as an emergency medical technician on the night shift, and eventually I moved out on my own. My hometown friends were far away at their respective colleges and universities, and my social life was difficult to manage, as I was sleeping during the day, so I was alone quite a lot. But I learned to become comfortable with being alone and fending for myself. I think this aspect of my life helped me succeed at Dickinson, as I knew how to manage my time efficiently. It helped me blossom into a self-starter and kicked me into high gear. Now, after only one year at Dickinson, I’m an Admissions Fellow, which is a highly select group of students known for being engaged, responsible members of the campus community. I’m also the vice president of men’s club volleyball, and I’m a member of the Liberty Cap Society.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS 

Published August 19, 2024