Tegan Kline

Without the services and resources that Baruch offers it would be exceedingly difficult to become a successful college student. There is much more to the college experience than maintaining a GPA. Baruch offers the students many different resources that help them improve in generally every area of study and skills while building a strong resume.

In high school I was involved in many different organizations, clubs, and activities through the school as well as through the community. Soon after joining my first extra curricular activity my Freshmen year of high school I realized how important it was to be involved in more than simply my studies. At Baruch I have joined Cents Ability. We are currently working on a group presentation for the Freshmen SEEK students here at Baruch. During my time at the organization, I hope to improve upon my public speaking, group, and communication skills. SACC has been a major help when handling the stresses of my math class. They help to build my confidence in the subject and give me the extra practice that I need. The honor’s lounge and library have provided at great place to study.

Participating in the Community Service Project has helped me to research the events and services that I can obtain through Baruch. Finding an organization that met all of our needs was more difficult than expected. We had to call numerous organizations to find somewhere that we could all agree upon. The research we did showed us the great amount of need there is for volunteers. Without the library we would not have had a quiet, secluded place to go to discuss our presentation and the organization we chose.

Over the next three years, I hope to remain a member of the Honor’s community. I would like to obtain an internship before the end of my junior year in a multinational banking corporation. I also hope to hold a lead position in one of Baruch many financial clubs. I plan to gain all I can from Baruch and take the knowledge, skills, and friendships I receive beyond my college career.

Baruch has given me an incredible opportunity, one that the majority of students do not receive. As a Baruch Scholar, not only do I feel a need to excel in my academics, I feel a need to give back to the community that has given me so much. As a member of the Honors Program compels me to be the best that I can. I feel as though I am, not only representing myself but also representing Baruch College. I have always set high standards for myself; now, I am finding myself wanting others to look at me as a way to help set higher standards for themselves.

The community service project we are given as members of the Honors Program has allowed me to research and look up various volunteering opportunities that I otherwise would not have this early in my college career. I have always enjoyed giving my time to help a cause that needs it. There is a part of me that feels guilty for taking this much time off from giving back to the community, though I know I need to in order to get into the swing of college. I am, however, hoping that I can give my time to an organization that needs it during our winter break. Giving back to the community and helping others has always been an obligation of mine and that is a part of me that I never want to lose.

My name is Tegan. I’m from Liberty Center, one of the smallest towns in Ohio. The population hovers around 1,000 people. We have a water tower, a few gas stations, and a newly built library. The town recently built a Subway restaurant into one of the gas stations. Sadly, it was one of the most eventful things to happen in our little town. Liberty Center isn’t the most exciting of places, but growing up there helped me become the person I am today. Though I have many great memories, I still realized the small town lifestyle isn’t one for me.

At the age of eight, I decided that I was going to move to the city that never sleeps. An aspiring young eight year old? maybe. But, honestly, I think that I just watched too muchJames and the Giant Peach. Either way, that dream lived on. I’ve finally made it. Though my eight year old dreams of becoming a paleontologist (yes, the nerdieness began young) curbed into an investment banker, I still think my eight year old self was on the right track. So, here I am living in New York City studying finance at Baruch.

Entering college has been something I’ve looked forward to my entire high school career, if not sooner. An event that occurred two months prior put a damper on that excitement. I was T-boned by a pick-up truck going 65mph, life flighted to The Toledo Hospital, and sent into surgery. I came out with 40 stitches in my face, nerve damage, and a few bruises. I was conscious through the entire accident. From the moment the accident happened people were constantly telling me how lucky I was. I’m greatful I came out of it all as well as I did but I can’t help but feel as though luck isn’t the right choice of words. It has been difficult adapting to, and honestly I don’t think I ever will, but it has made me stronger as a person. Though life hasn’t always been the easiest to endure, all of the hardships that I’ve been faced with have shaped the person I am today, and for that I am grateful.