Ben Wilmoth

Preparing for a job or simply gaining knowledge is rarely the reason a student chooses to attend a liberal arts college of Lafayette’s caliber. I knew this when I chose Lafayette, but only with the benefit of four additional years am I able to speak with any authority on the worth of a Lafayette education. When I graduate in May, I will leave Lafayette not simply with a degree, but with a better understanding of myself and the world around me. Though personal to each individual student, perhaps this additional awareness—beyond books and memorized facts—is what defines The Lafayette Experience.

Understanding myself meant exploring unfamiliar courses, ideas, and cocurricular activities that would help define my likes and dislikes. Lafayette made that easy. Within days of arriving on campus, I had joined the mock trial team, where I began sharpening my skills of analysis and verbal communication. Through this activity, I developed a passion for lawyerly thought and courtroom procedure that presently guides my future career goals.

I was able to further investigate my passions through the Marquis Scholars program, which immersed me in the cultural offerings of nearby cities such as New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. in ways that no textbook or in-class lecture could achieve. The scholarship also afforded me the opportunity to study in Bonn, Germany for six weeks, where I lived with a host family and attended regular language classes. I improved my German language skills and explored the depths of my personal independence.

Complete growth as an individual, I learned, meant development not just as a scholar, but as a citizen. Political service facilitated that growth, solidifying my standing as an active member of the Easton community and crystallizing my views on issues of national and local political importance. What began as simple volunteer work for a County Judge campaign my freshman year, developed into political leadership positions both on campus, through the College Republicans, and in the community, through the Easton city and Northampton County party organizations. The practical know-how and leadership skills I developed through these activities proved invaluable, guiding me to a semester and summer in Washington, D.C., where I served as an intern in the White House.

These are but a select few of the many opportunities that a Lafayette education can provide. As both Lafayette and I (as our fight song reminds us) go “on to greater deeds,” I will be increasingly grateful for this experience that has enriched my mind and soul and laid a fitting foundation for a personally and professionally satisfying life.