Maverick Leer

“Carthage has a beautiful campus, a good undergraduate Paleontology program, and it’s close to home if I want to leave for a weekend or break.”

“Carthage faculty have given me tools to start succeeding before I’ve even started my career, with both research opportunities and by simply teaching my classes. I know I can always turn to them if I need help or have questions.”

“This semester, I’m taking Entomology, a class focused on the study of insects, and it’s a blast. Most people are afraid of bugs, but it’s truly fascinating how different they are from us. I’m also interested in the invertebrate side of paleontology, so learning about the modern analogs of prehistoric invertebrates is very helpful.”

“Organic Chemistry, which I was informed would be a tough class, has been my hardest. It’s a very involved class that requires a lot of work outside of the class periods.”

“I’m a member of the Paleontology Club, which isn’t just for paleo students. The club is very inclusive and seeks to educate people on the misconceptions of paleontology. Sometimes the club has game or movie nights. I’m also the secretary of the Entomology Club, which does basically the same thing but for bugs. Additionally, we have live pets, including a young tarantula and a colony of African hissing cockroaches.”

“I’ve been able to go to a couple of conferences for the paleontology track to see how research is presented in a professional setting, and I’m going to one soon to present my own research. In addition, I plan to participate in a summer J-Term class in Montana in the Hells Creek Formation to dig for dinosaurs.”

“I plan to go to graduate school to receive a master’s degree in paleontology and then do research.”

“I enjoy The Oaks lounges. They’re very spacious, and I often have game nights there with friends. It’s also a good spot to go and relax. In the basement of The Oaks buildings are music practice rooms that I also go to frequently to play piano.”

“I came here knowing nobody, and I’m proud of myself for finding friends among this vast sea of diverse people. I have a group that I can rely on for studying, getting dinner, and having some good laughs with.”

“I never would have anticipated how interconnected things are here. Clubs and organizations frequently collaborate, bringing different groups of people together. People of all majors come together at sports games to cheer on their friends, classmates, or neighbors. It’s not necessarily a surprise since I would hope for each individual group to be able to interact with others in a positive manner, but it’s certainly uplifting to see.”