Many said it wasn’t possible, but I was able to do it at Wartburg

NAME: Cassie Benge
CLASS YEAR: 2022
HOMETOWN: West Des Moines, Iowa 
MAJORS: Psychology, Spanish, music

ON-CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Wind Ensemble, Wartburg Drumline, Phi Eta Sigma, Psi Chi, National Society of Leadership and Success, Psychology Club

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR MAJORS: Psychology has always been the perfect mix of my academic interests as well as helping others. I also fell in love with psychology from my first class, it has always been something I’m really passionate about. For Spanish, I believe that it is so important to learn about other languages and cultures. The world is rapidly diversifying around us, and I think it is the duty of all of us to recognize, appreciate, and advocate for cultural awareness.

HOW HAS WARTBURG SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR FIELD: Wartburg has set me up for success due to the amazing classes and professors available. I also had great internships and clinical experiences. I completed a research study my junior year about the effects of parental attachment and control on mental health and substance use in college students. I also completed three capstone research projects (one for each major).

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: I am enrolled in a doctoral program at Kansas City University in the College of Biosciences for clinical psychology .

Cassie Benge

HOW DID WARTBURG HELP YOU GET INVOLVED: I would say I have done most of the managing time and involvement myself. However, I have had really great experiences with my advisers encouraging me within all my involvement, but also reminding me to take care of myself. My advisers are all so amazing, and I couldn’t have gotten to where I am now without them: Dr. Todd Reiher, Profé Zak Montgomery, and Dr. Scott Muntefering. They all have encouraged me and helped me through so much.

FAVORITE WARTBURG MEMORY: Traveling to Japan my freshman year and making lifelong memories. Also, meeting some of my best friends!

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: Try new things, don’t be afraid to do something new. I had never played drums before until I came to Wartburg, and I ended up finding a new passion. But also learn how to say no. It’s so important to do what is best for you. It’s so easy to get pulled into trying to do everything all at once and get overwhelmed. Learn to say no, you will be so much happier.

WHY IS WARTBURG WORTH IT: The amazing professors and the ability to do more. I am graduating with a triple major and a lot of involvement. While it wasn’t easy, and many said it wasn’t possible, but I was able to do it at Wartburg. And I didn’t even have a full class load all this year!