Rebecca Morris
Rebecca Morris
Class Year
’12
Hometown
Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Major(s)
Religion
Minor(s)
English
Rebecca Morris ’12, came to Carthage planning to study education. The College’s Education Department has an excellent reputation, she said, and she was convinced that education was her calling. Then she became involved with the College’s chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
“Religion was not my first or second choice in major,” Rebecca said, but her involvement with IVCF opened her eyes to this option. “I was very blessed with the privilege to serve in a couple of leadership roles in which I found a passion for service and theology,” she said. “From this, I have found my calling and I plan on attending a seminary in the fall of 2012 to pursue that.”
Since officially deciding to major in religion, Rebecca has found that the quality of faculty that drew her to Carthage’s Education Department extends into the Religion Department as well. Although the professors come from all different backgrounds, they are open-minded and create class environments that produce effective discussion, she said.
“I think that the Religion Department has done a great job with offering a variety of classes that expose students to a wide variety of religions,” Rebecca said. “Regardless of what religion you are, I think it is important to know what other people believe and why. Not only will it help you be well informed and dive deeper into your area of interest, but it’s also very interesting to learn how different cultures value and practice their religion.”
Career goal
To work with Church Youth Ministries or Missions Director.
How have Carthage faculty had an impact on your life or Carthage career?
“I can’t say that I have a favorite professor, but I have really enjoyed my classes with Eric Nelson, Nathan Jacobs, and Lynn Tracy. All of these professors are very knowledgeable about their content areas and have created some of the best curricula, in my opinion. Eric and Lynn have classes that are practical and apply to everyday life. I really have loved how these classes have made me take a look at myself and figure out how my beliefs have been either formed by my life or shaped by my life. Nathan’s class just blew me away with his approach to the material and how he presented the content. His class is very theologically based and is full of great information if you want to know more about systematic theology. Excellent professors, I highly recommend them all!”
Favorite class
“Faith, Love and Ethics.”
Campus involvement
“Some of the organizations I have checked out and been involved with are InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Bible small group leader and service leader), Gospel Messengers, CUMBYA, Alpha Lambda Delta, Theta Alpha Kappa.”
Toughest class
“History of Christian Thought”
Favorite moments and memories at Carthage
“My favorite moments on campus have been every single moment I have spent with my best friends, whether it was just talking in their rooms, going to see a play/musical, doing homework together, or just having a night out on the town.”
Favorite spot on campus
“Sitting on the rocks behind Tarble Hall watching the lake at all times of day and spotting ships on the horizon.”
Biggest surprise so far
“I think the biggest surprise for me has been the number of changes I have made in my major and the direction my life is taking. If you had told me when I was a freshman that I would be a religion major and heading into the seminary, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s amazing just how many turns life can take in such a short amount of time, but what’s even more amazing is how all those turns will work out in the end.”
Why should other students consider your major? What advice do you have for them?
“Don’t be afraid to become a religion major. It is a great area of study that has an amazing set of faculty to support it and you. If you have an interest in religion, think about following the call and see where it takes you. If you do decide to declare a religion major, be prepared to be internally challenged and have something to say and/or ask in class. That’s the best way to learn in this field.”