Despite Elizabethtown College being a small school compared to most of the colleges in the area, it is nearly impossible to know all of the students on campus. Each one of them has their own unique story on how they came to attend Etown, and it is important to know that each has value. One such example is the tale of senior Braden Hecker.

From Lancaster, Pa., Hecker is local to the area. Although at school he does not get to see his family, Hecker loves to visit them when he is at home. As the youngest of three siblings, he has plenty of people he wants to dedicate time to visit when he is back in the area.

“My mother and my father are the biggest sponsors of my life,” Hecker said.

Hecker originally came to Etown with the intention of becoming an occupation therapist, so he joined the College’s esteemed program. However, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hecker had a change of heart and decided to switch his major to Health Sciences.

“I like the possibility of helping people like my grandma,” Hecker said. “I think it’s cool that I might be able to make a difference in people’s lives.”

With his graduation date rapidly approaching, Hecker has begun thinking about different career paths he might want to take. He has considered becoming a pharmaceutical representative or possibly nursing, like his mother. Right now, he is considering going to graduate school at Kutztown University. Still, whatever path he takes, it will deal with something in the vast medical industry.

“Everything’s in the air right now,” Hecker said.

His interest in the nursing field came after he took a class on the subject. Hecker then talked to his mother and her coworkers and learned more about the field. He discovered that with the pandemic, a lot of hospitals have lost people due to various reasons like budget cuts and regulations.

“We need more male nurses because there’s not enough,” Hecker said, “and a lot of hospitals are really aching for anybody right now.”

With only a few weeks left in the semester, Hecker is nearly finished with his undergraduate career and has opinions on his favorite classes. One professor who stuck out to him was Dr. Jeffrey Long, a Religious Studies professor that Hecker has taken four courses with. Another class that was fascinating to Hecker was a World War II course. Although they do not relate to his major, Hecker found them enlightening.

“I like courses where I can learn a lot and not courses that are easy,” Hecker said.

One of Hecker’s favorite parts about Etown is the aesthetic campus. One of his favorite places is the High Library where he can study and read. Another one that sticks out is the old frisbee golf courses. It is far enough away from the lively centers of campus, so Hecker can relax and listen to the sounds of nature.

“It’s a very beautiful campus and very old timey,” Hecker said.

When Hecker gets a break from studying, he can sometimes be found recreationally reading. His favorite genres are thriller,spy and mystery. Recently though, he has been getting into the Western genre. Two of his recommendations for people looking to get into the genre are “Springfield 1880” by J.A. Johnstone and William A. Johnstone as well as “Paradise Sky” by Joe R. Lansdale.

“It’s an acquired taste,” Hecker said.

Good luck to Hecker when he graduates and enters the work force!