Name: Dr. Mariah Birgen
Position: Associate Professor of Mathematics, Director of the Wartburg Scholars Program

What is your favorite aspect of Wartburg?
Definitely the students. Don't tell them, but they try harder than any other college students I have worked with. Every time I meet with other mathematicians, we swap stories. It reminds me of how wonderful the Wartburg students are.

What does "be orange" mean to you?
It means that Wartburg isn't just buildings, or classes, or sports, or music. When you are at Wartburg, you are immersed in the whole experience. When I went to college, I was at a huge state school and if I wanted to know what was going on, I had to read the school newspaper. At Wartburg, students can't just sit on the edge of the pool, when they come to campus, being orange means swimming with the current and experiencing all that Wartburg has to offer.

Memorable Moments
In 2003 I traveled to Germany with several other Wartburg Professors. This was especially meaningful for me because I had just read Ron Mathias's book on the History of the College. The trip really helped me connect with Wartburg's "roots."