Meet
Karla Dietzenbach, a junior nursing major from Waucoma, Iowa.
On
campus life and getting involved:
"I am involved in cheerleading, and being the oldest on the
squad, I feel like a role model to the others on the team. Being
a part of cheerleading has taught me about time management and
its importance. I am also involved in campus
ministry and the Antioch leadership team. Mount Mercy
College has an association
of nursing students, and for the second year, I am
a public relations officer for that group and a participant in
Stangs Christian Fellowship.
It is so crucial to get involved on campus and it's the best way
to meet all kinds of people. College is about your education and
meeting new people along the way. It's easier to get involved
right away then to wait, so I challenged myself and joined groups
right away. It forced me to express myself to strangers. At the
time it was scary, but because of that choice I have gained so
many friends. The best piece of advice is to get involved early
-- the results are wonderful!"
Living
on campus:
"I couldn't imagine going to college and not living on campus.
Living in the
dorms is a great way to meet people. I left my door
open and had people stop in, and I would also go wandering down
the hallway, stopping in new rooms to introduce myself. Some of
my closest friendships were developed during that first year on
campus. Living on campus is more convenient as well. Classes are
at the most five minutes away. Meals are provided, fitness centers
are close, so are the library and church."
Becoming
a leader:
"Becoming a leader means that you need to step out of your
comfort zone. I didn't become a leader in cheerleading and the
nursing club until I was a regular participant for a year. I wanted
to see what things were like first, before I felt comfortable
taking the reins. Being a leader on campus is a great way to prepare
for life after college. You're recognized more on campus and people
rely on you, which is a great feeling. I don't believe that I
would be a leader if I was at a larger college."
Spirituality:
"Having the church here on campus has been great. The services
really rely on student involvement, which is something that I
love. Mount Mercy also has some Christian-based groups and getting
involved is easy. I have been able to help out in Mass and right
now I am in the midst of preparing for Antioch, a Christian retreat."
Memorable
moments:
"A highlight from my freshman year was going to bed at 8
p.m. so I could get up at 2 a.m. to go study in the anatomy lab
for a final. It was crazy but it paid off. My group of friends
also started a tradition for birthdays -- getting into their room
to decorate it with streamers everywhere, and of course cake.
I can’t forget going to someone's room for 'just a minute'
and end up in their room for a couple of hours."
Mount
Mercy became "home" when...
"I was home one weekend and packing up to go back to college
and I said to my parents something along the lines of 'I plan
of heading home [college] around 3 p.m.' My dad stopped me and
told me that this house will always be home!"
