Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Ben Kennedy, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Cumberland Center, Maine. Kennedy is a member of the men's lacrosse team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I chose to attend The College of Wooster for its beautiful campus, competitive athletics, academic opportunities, and the people. Wooster felt like a supportive community where I knew I could succeed in the classroom and on the field more than anywhere else I looked.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: Being a Fighting Scot student-athlete to me is the best representation of the phrase hard work pays off. Whether it is in the classroom or on the field, there is no substitute for hard work and there's no excuse for the lack of it. Also, being a Fighting Scot student-athlete means building relationships that will last far beyond your years at school.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I will always remember beating Wittenberg University as a first-year on a last-second goal from Cooper Pewitt to send us to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. That was unreal! I'll also always remember earning my first start and scoring my first goal on the first shot of the game. Beyond that, my favorite memories come from meeting my best friends and having a great time on and off the field.
Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: The best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster on the men's lacrosse team is being brought into a great group of 40-plus guys who you know will have your back.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a volunteer in the Homework 4 Hoops program, spent a semester as a health coach through a partnership with Wooster Community Hospital, and played on the club ice hockey team.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. (Sara) Martin has made the greatest impact on me because she helped me grow as a student and appreciate the process of working through challenges.
Q: Which other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?A: Coach (P.J.) Kavanagh has positively impacted my experience at Wooster by being supportive during the times I needed support, and also challenging me during the times I needed to be challenged.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: I am synthesizing silver folate and silver glutamate from folic acid and glutamic acid in order to explore their antibacterial and anticancer effects on select cell strains.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Each year we have been able to, we have taken a spring break trip as a team. As a first-year, we went to New England, which was close to home for me, so that was great. My sophomore year we took a trip to Orlando, Florida, which is where we are going again this year. Those trips are always great for team chemistry and enjoying time together.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: Set your goals high and work as hard as you can to reach them.
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