Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Molly Kershner, an education and history major from Columbus, Ohio. Kershner is a member of the women's lacrosse team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I chose to attend The College of Wooster because of the small class sizes and the inclusive environment I felt on my overnight with the women's lacrosse team
Q: What does being a Fighting Scot student-athlete mean to you?
A: Being a Fighting Scot student-athlete involves a deep commitment to both academic excellence and athletic achievement. It means being part of a community that values sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication to your sport and your academics.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Spring break on campus and during our travel week is a time with just my team full of unforgettable laughter and cherished moments. Academically, I have really enjoyed the Independent Study process. I love learning and diving into a topic and mastering that area, so I.S. has been very interesting.
Q: What is the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: It is nice to be on a team that is motivated by both athletics and academics.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I am involved in both the history and education honors societies. I am also involved in Wooster Future Educators Association with the Education Department. I have been a teaching apprentice for the Education Department for the EDUC-100 class and have had field placements where I take part in evaluating students in the classroom.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: The entirety of the Education Department has been instrumental in preparing me for my future endeavors as an educator. Dr. Matthew Broda and Dr. Ryan Ozar have been preparing me to be an educator by evaluating me and giving me all the tips and tricks on how to best be in the classroom, while making sure I pay heavy attention to the needs of students. Sarah Dunlap has been fundamental in placements for me during all four years, allowing me to participate in both middle and high school curricula.
Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people and resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: Dr. Jordan Biro Walters in the History Department, who is also my I.S. advisor, has been outstanding in teaching me all about early American history and making sure to include all narratives of that history. Her comments, edits, and suggestions throughout my Junior and Senior I.S. has keep me ahead of the game!
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: My I.S. is titled "How was Lincoln viewed Pre- and Post-Emancipation Proclamation? Through the Eyes of the African American Population: Louisiana vs. New York." This project focuses on Abraham Lincoln through a historical African American lens and asks, how does Black-issued media from the pre- and post-emancipation era speak of and display Lincoln as a person as well as a political figure. To further my research topic, I investigated the sub-question on the differences in opinion between Black media in New York versus Louisiana. To answer these questions, a thorough investigation and comparison of African American media in Louisiana and New York is helping me discover the oppressed opinions of those most affected by Lincoln's policies.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, where I engaged in classroom settings in Copenhagen, West Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. I primarily engaged with sixth through 11th graders and taught lessons about the American education system, private American schools, boarding schools, and the college admissions process. Many students throughout Scandinavia are paid to go to school once they reach age 17, so teaching them about our process and how we pay to go to school was something they were unaware of.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what advice would you give your first-year self?
A: I would tell myself to form solid relationships with my professors early. They are a wonderful resource and reference for you, and making sure you have good rapport will be helpful in the future as well.
Follow Wooster's women's lacrosse team on social media!
Connect with Wooster's women's lacrosse team on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Interested in becoming a Fighting Scot?
Prospective student-athletes can click here to request more information from a coach, click here to view the virtual campus tour, and click here to learn more about admissions events, tours, and visit programs.