Today’s Keene State
Current students tell us about their lives, their dreams, and even their favorite books and music.

George Thompson Hometown: Deerfield, N.H. Major: Management Residence Hall: Holloway Hall What I like about my major: The knowledge gained about real life situations. Mentor: Neal Pruchansky is one of the great professors of his time. He teaches students in a way that is beneficial for them, and he genuinely seeks to help students as best he can. Favorite class: Small Business Institute Favorite website: www.google.com Favorite book: Ishmael		Co-curricular activities: Resident Assistant, S.P.A.C.E. Committee, Habitat for Humanity
Katelin Tolman Hometown: Raymond, N.H. Major: Sociology Favorite book: The Da Vinci Code Favorite music: Gogol Bordello International Travel: This summer I plan to take a two-week trip with 12 other student from KSC to Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. I chose KSC because It offered the courses I was interested in, and I felt at home during my campus tour and orientation. Career goals: Earn my Ph.D., and work internationally KSC has changed me in this way: KSC has made me more independent and more responsible		I'm proudest of: Working toward a degree in a subject I love.
JJ Prior Hometown: Weymouth, Mass. Major: Elementary Education, because I enjoy working with children and seeing how the young mind develops. Activities: Photography editor of The Equinox, cross-country, Alternative Spring Break I'm proudest of: Living on my own and managing my life Favorite book: Once a Runner Favorite film: A Beautiful Mind Favorite music: U2, Counting Crows I want to become: A sixth-grade teacher and work with youth as a running coach. I would also like to continue pursuing photography as a hobby. I picked KSC because: KSC is a great fit for me. It's small enough that I can make a name for myself in the campus community, but large enough that this feels like a significant accomplishment. The city is great; I love the Main Street downtown and the community events like Pumpkin Festival. KSC has changed me in this way: I've just been able to be more me!		I want to become: A sixth-grade teacher and work with youth as a running coach. I would also like to continue pursuing photography as a hobby.
Sarah Paleafei Hometown: Mapleton, Maine Major: Film Studies, Production What I like about my major: I love how film allows me to dream, to do anything with no limitations. Mentor: My hope is that someday I may get the chance to change someone's life as much as Lance Levesque has changed mine. Favorite website: www.imdb.com Favorite book: Tuesdays with Morrie Favorite film: Whale Rider Favorite music: Melissa Etheridge or Dashboard Confessional Scholarship or grant: KSC Film Studies Grant this past summer. KSC has changed me in this way: KSC has been the backdrop for the things I've learned, life-long friendships I've developed, and an environment in which to become the person I am today.		What I like about my major: I love how film allows me to dream, to do anything with no limitations.
Holly Bradford Hometown: Peterborough, N.H. Major: Studio Art What I like about my major: I love using and exploring color and line. Coming up with an idea and seeing it develop onto paper or into a sculptural form! Activities: Music and outdoor activities (like climbing and kayaking) Favorite book: Lost in Mongolia Favorite music: The Grift KSC has changed me in this way: The people I've met at KSC have changed me. I've made some awesome friends I know I'll have for life. The classes and teachers I've had have really opened my eyes to the different things I can do with my art and my life.		I picked KSC because: KSC is a well-rounded liberal arts college.
Daniel Bard Hometown: Red Hook, N.Y. Major: Math/Physics Favorite class: Geometry with Professor Johnson My goal: Receive my B.S. in Civil Engineering and work toward a Ph.D. Academic Excellence Conference: "Basic Modeling of Groundwater Contamination," demonstrating the application of mathematical techniques to a real-world problem.		Activities: Math Club, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Education Honor Society
John Gibbons Hometown: Bethany, Conn. Major: Biology Like about major: Hands-on learning and practical use Favorite class: Evolution – Earth and Life Favorite book: The Selfish Gene The one thing I'm proudest of: Independent research I chose KSC because: The small class size and student to professor ratio Personal and career goals: Research Academic Excellence Conference: Maternal behavior in mice, with faculty sponsor Dr. Karen Cangialosi, and population genetics of Polygala paucifolia, with faculty sponsor Dr. Kristen Porter-Utley.		Undergraduate research grant: To study Polygala paucifolia, a plant that flowers both above and below the ground.
Athanasios Dikos Hometown: Merrimack, N.H. Major: Piano Performance What I like about my major: It allows me to make my hobby a career. Scholarship: Academic Talent Scholarship I picked KSC because: My high school piano teacher recommended it. I want to become: A professional pianist		Mentor: George Loring offers me good direction and I know he cares about me and I can count on him for help.
Allison Goldberg Hometown: Ridgefield, Conn Major: Sociology What I like about my major: Interacting with different people and learning about new cultures. Favorite class: Nutrition with Tom Richards and Intro to Art with Henry Freedman Activities: Secretary of the KSC Outing Club Favorite book: Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins Favorite music: Keller Williams Exchange program: Spring '07 Andalusia, Spain (hopefully!) I picked KSC because: It just felt right. My goal: To save the world from itself. I wrote my application essay about: I explained how it was impossible for free will to exist.		Things I do with my friends: Hike Mount Monadnock, eat at Armadillo's (sweet potato burrito with pinto beans), go to the Colonial, play in the snow
Dominic DiBenedetto Major: English Favorite class: Frankenstein and Other Creatures Activities: Social Activities Council, Mentors in Violence Prevention, a cappella group Things I do with my friends: Watch movies, go to SAC events, play board games in the lounge, walk around town. International Exchange: I studied in Wolverhampton, England, in spring '06. I want to become: A college professor.		Service Learning: I work with a 6th grade reading class at the Keene Middle School.