An Inclusive Community Rooted in Faith

For Evans Brackenbrough, ’22, faith has always been deeply rooted in his life. As a graduate of La Salle Catholic College Preparatory School near Portland, Ore., his spiritual journey continued at Seattle University.

When determining what college to attend, his largest deciding factors were SU’s Jesuit and 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.”

From the moment he arrived on campus through graduation, the connections Brackenbrough made are deep and meaningful. 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—all introduced him to his community. Faculty, staff and students “are very supportive and advocate for others,” he says. faculty member, whose “classes have felt the most like real science work, as labs are unscripted and inquiry-based.” Professor Frato provided guidance as Brackenbrough balanced 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 location was another important factor in choosing SU. “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 contributed 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 were the care and safety of residents.”

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