ROOTED IN FAITH

For Evans Brackenbrough, ’22, faith has always been deeply rooted in his life. As a graduate of a Catholic high school, his spiritual journey continues at Seattle University.

When determining what college to attend, his largest deciding factors were Seattle U’s Jesuit Catholic influence and small class sizes, where he could get to know professors and classmates.

“Jesuit heritage influences and reinforces my outlook on the value of individuals. … Jesuit teaching values the whole person and looks to develop all aspects of the student,” he says. “This is a very humanizing viewpoint and helps me see the humanity of every person I interact with.”

Since first arriving on campus from Portland, Ore., Brackenbrough still recognizes the impact his connections at Seattle U has made on his life. The New Student Retreat hosted by Campus Ministry, Mass at the Chapel of St. Ignatius and Kin, the Catholic student group—along with social clubs for chemistry and gaming—have all introduced him to his community. Faculty, staff and students “are very supportive and advocate for others.”

His advisor, Associate Professor of Chemistry Katherine Frato, PhD, is also his favorite faculty member, whose “classes have felt the most like real science work, as labs are unscripted and inquiry-based.” Frato provides guidance as Brackenbrough balances his major in Biochemistry (pre-med) and minor in Philosophy, while also working as a Vi Hilbert Resident Assistant (RA).

For Brackenbrough, as a pre-med student who aspires to become a surgeon, the city of Seattle was another important factor in choosing Seattle U. “The wide array of hospitals in Seattle provide many wonderful opportunities for jobs or volunteer options,” he says.

He describes his sense of faith as “… a holistic way of living and not something restricted to certain spaces or gatherings. I allow the basic principles of my Catholic faith to support my entire character and various actions throughout the day.”

Brackenbrough notes this lifestyle contributes greatly to his work as an RA. “For example, principles such as loving all people or treating others with dignity and respect result in choices and actions that establish a culture of care and support. During each situation, my highest priorities are the care and safety of residents.”

The Seattle U community is “very accepting and I am very thankful for my time here so far. It has been a great college choice.”