Wartburg invested in me as an individual

NAME: Justin Maiers 
CLASS YEAR: 2009 
MAJORS: Business administration and accounting 
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Software configuration management audit and controls manager, Mayo Clinic

WHY WARTBURG:  I choose Wartburg College due to many factors. During the application and visit process I felt like they invested in me as an individual. They had a very personal approach. I never felt like I was number or just another applicant. Wartburg’s scholarship offer to me quantified all the hard work I put in during high school. The large public schools offered me only $200. I wanted to live and learn on a residential campus, where most of students stayed on campus over the weekend. I wanted to know my professors on a personal level, and Wartburg’s small class sizes made this possible. I did not want an educational experience where I sat in lecture hall of 100+ students.

HOW DID YOUR WARTBURG EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:  Because Wartburg’s class sizes were small, the professors could prepare course content where exams were not solely bubble tests. They could assign short-answer questions, papers, and presentations. The course work required critical thinking that prepared me for my career as a CPA.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU NEVER IMAGINED YOU COULD DO BEFORE COMING TO WARTBURG:  If I would not have attended Wartburg, I do not believe service would be a big part of my life. During my time at Wartburg I lead two Service Trips to East St. Louis and participated on a third trip. These experiences were very humbling and changed my outlook on life for the better.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG TRADITION: Professors and staff serving the students midnight breakfast before finals.