Name: Casey Patriarco (AS '09) Hometown:Allentown, PA Major:English Education Minor(s):History, Philosophy Favorite Book:The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Activities/Clubs at UD: President of the StUDent Government Association (SGA), Senior Writing Fellow, Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Deborah Bieler’s New English Teachers for Social Justice (NETS) Project, DelaWorld Orientation Assistant (Summer ’06), Russell Fellow (’06-’07)
Goals: I aspire to gain experience as a secondary English teacher for a few years, after which, I plan to attain a postgraduate degree in educational policy. My intent, to blaze the trail for educational reform, would initiate a more just system for students who can not fight for themselves because of socioeconomic disparities and other inequalities.
Why did you choose Delaware? A major factor in my decision to attend Delaware was the Honors program. I liked how it represented a smaller community within a significantly larger and dynamic university. The smaller Honors classes appealed to me because of the enhanced educational opportunities and more personal interaction with faculty members and classmates. Also, during my visit, I thought the campus was beautiful, and the students gave off an energetic and friendly vibe.
What has been your favorite Honors class so far? My favorite Honors course was Professor Ray Peters’ Peer Tutoring and Advanced Composition course. In this small seminar-style Writing Fellows training course, I learned about the most effective ways to patiently and clearly communicate writing suggestions and offer constructive advice. I became a better writer myself by learning how to prompt others to reconsider aspects of the writing process that would improve their thesis, organization, and overall clarity.
Who has been your favorite Honors professor and why? Professor Peters is passionate about the subject material that he teachers and is dedicated to his students. In addition to having had the opportunity to enjoy his Engl316 course, I currently have the pleasure of working with Professor Peters through the Writing Fellows program. Professor Peters encourages a delightful balance of freedom of thought and generative discussion.
What has been your most rewarding leadership or extra-curricular activity at UD? As president of the UD Student Government Association, I have enjoyed initiating changes in the organization’s infrastructure and vision so that SGA can be more student-accessible, vibrant, and recognizable. Along with my dedicated executive board, I advocate for 14,000 undergraduates by coordinating effective forums to gather students’ opinions, fostering and organizing collaborative events between student groups and leaders, and relaying concerns to administration. I strongly encourage involvement in student organizations because they promote campus connectedness and establishment of lasting friendships.
