Making the Wartburg experience her own

By Yvie Croninger ’25

Madison Abels ’25 may be a legacy student at Wartburg — both her parents are graduates — but she has made the experience her own.

The psychology major from St. Peter, Minn., is a soprano in the St. Elizabeth Chorale, a member of the Wartburg College Dance Team, and a peer mentor.

“I really like that each of my activities allows me to meet and spend time with different people. Being on the dance team, in choir, and a peer mentor are all very different environments, but I like putting myself into those new environments to meet different people,” said Abels.

Her favorite memory to date was the 2023 Christmas with Wartburg.

“My brother Colton also goes to Wartburg now and is in Ritterchor, so it was really fun and exciting to sing in that performance with him this year,” she said.

With so many activities on her calendar, Abels has learned the importance of time management. Planning out everything from classes and assignments, to practices and rehearsals, and time for relaxing has allowed her to fully enjoy each of the experiences.

Recently she’s added one more activity to her already full schedule: research.  

“Lately Dr. Shaheen Munir has been influential in my Wartburg experience. I am working on conducting my own study for the Advanced Research Methods course. Her guidance has been of immense help through that process,” said Abels.

As a dancer, Abels hopes that all students have a chance to attend and experience a Wartburg football game day in person, as it highlights the larger community on campus.

“In that atmosphere, you have the chance to meet so many different people, especially if you sit in the student section. It allows you to experience friendships and connections with so many different people. That is another reason I love not only attending game days but being a part of them and being involved on campus,” she said. 

After Wartburg Abels will pursue a master’s in psychology with the hopes of becoming a therapist.