A St. Mike’s upperclassmen reflects on the liberal arts advantage

Just under 1,500 students attend Saint Michael’s College, a beautiful campus nestled in the breathtaking mountains of northern Vermont. Here students take advantage of the opportunities provided by the College and the surrounding area, only a highway exit away from the city of Burlington, and only short drives away from many outdoor activities.

Greg Hurter ’24

When compared to the University of Vermont, Champlain College, and other nearby institutions, Saint Michael’s College is set apart by its commitment to the liberal arts style of education as well as the size of its student body.

Gregory Hurter `24 from Shrewsbury, MA, is a public health and equity studies double major, an Adventure Sports Center instructor, and summer research student at Saint Michael’s College. The liberal arts aspect of the College was a huge factor in his decision to attend Saint Michael’s.

“At a school like Saint Mike’s, I am able to broaden what I am learning and take classes I would never be able to take at larger schools, such as philosophy, music, and art classes,” Hurter said. The range of courses available to students, as well as CORE course requirements expose students to a diverse course load within and outside of their chosen major(s). Many students find themselves adding additional majors and/or minors from interests yielded in required courses that they never thought would interest them.

The natural environment around campus also drew Hurter in. He said the first feature of the College that struck him upon his arrival to campus was how “tranquil” it felt. A fan of the outdoors, Hurter said that the Adventure Sports Center was another strong reason why he chose Saint Michael’s. The Adventure Sports Center, formerly known as the Wilderness Program, is a program partially run by Saint Mike’s students dedicated to exploring the outdoors and developing skills in various outdoor activities such as skiing, rock climbing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and more.

Greg Hurter ice-climbing with the Adventure Sports Center.

Hurter has become a certified instructor in multiple outdoor adventure areas since his first year at Saint Michael’s. “The focus of the Adventure Sports Center is allowing students to provide other students with the instruction to do activities that they would not do normally,” Hurter said. “The ASC provides students with the equipment and instruction needed to safely participate, and it’s also a fantastic way to meet new friends!”

Hurter found it very easy to get involved right away during his first year, and the ASC was a welcoming environment for everyone wanting to get involved. The open-arms expectation is set not only by the size of Saint Michael’s College campus, but the welcoming culture and campus environment dedicated to exploration of new interests.

Outside of his extracurricular activities, Hurter is a dedicated student and avid learner. As a liberal arts college, Saint Michael’s College not only provides its students with the resources needed to learn, but the ability and bandwidth to explore. “I have always been interested in public health though I did not realize it until I came to college,” Hurter said. “It wasn’t until I really learned about public health through projects, classes, and conversations with my professor Patricia Siplon that I became really interested in the field and realized that it was the most logical major to choose for what I want to pursue after college.” Previously, Hurter was a biology major, but through conversation with his professors and a deeper look into his own interests, he realized that public health and equity studies served his passions more.

The professors at Saint Michael’s College are supportive and willing to help facilitate students’ curiosities as well as encourage each student to pursue their interests. With Professor Siplon’s guidance, Hurter was able to delve into independent research in the summer after his sophomore year, an opportunity not always available to undergraduate students at all at larger institutions.

Greg also enjoys kayaking with the ASC.

“At larger schools these opportunities are usually given to graduate students, and it is uncommon for undergraduates to be doing independent research projects with the supervision of a faculty mentor,” Hurter said. “I am unbelievably grateful that I was given that opportunity, but it would not have been possible if I was not at Saint Mikes.” Luckily, research opportunities are available to numerous applicants and many students take advantage of the summer research opportunities that the College facilitates. Not only does it build up students’ experience in various fields, from STEM to poetry, but also allows students to build a community of peers while living on campus over the summer.

Saint Michael’s College is the ideal environment for any student hoping to gain independent control of their studies, interests, and future. The liberal arts fosters that independent journey while simultaneously providing students with pillars of support through their professors, clubs, or resources on campus like the Purposeful Learning and Career Centers. The College’s culture is one of community, support, and openness, and students truly find themselves during their four years on campus.