I chose St. Olaf in 2018 after deciding between a college education and a career in classical ballet. Although I loved the ballet world deeply, I felt St. Olaf’s combination of strong academics and excellent fine arts would prepare me for any career field I wound up interested in.

In the spring of my sophomore year, I declared math as my major after loving calculus II and linear algebra. I also sang in the St. Olaf Cantorei and danced on the St. Olaf Dance Team, satisfying my passion for the fine arts.

After taking anatomy and physiology my junior year, I became enamored with learning about the human body. I loved making connections between anatomy, different math concepts, and my dancing; I learned the true value of a liberal arts education.

After serving on the human cadaver dissection team and working as a certified nursing assistant during my senior year, I decided healthcare was the field I am most passionate about. It combines the artistry of dance, logic of mathematics, and physicality of anatomy.

“I decided healthcare was the field I am most passionate about. It combines the artistry of dance, logic of mathematics, and physicality of anatomy.”

Emma McClure ’22

This fall, I will start the Master of Nursing program at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on scholarship. I will complete rotations at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital. My terminal degree will be a Doctor of Nursing Practice and I will serve my community as a nurse practitioner.

I am so thankful for my time in dance, choir, math, and science at St. Olaf. Each experience taught me different lessons I am confident will serve me well as I begin to treat patients. Dance and choir taught me to empathize with others’ stories and the importance of personal expression. Math taught me to follow my intuition and listen to logic. Anatomy and physiology taught me to think critically in detail when I can’t see a problem right in front of me. I feel adequately prepared to begin my master’s program and become a nurse practitioner thanks to St. Olaf, and I will always fondly remember my wonderful time on the Hill.