The daughter of an architect, Ianthe comments “good architecture has always made me feel comfortable.” In fact, she found herself “blown away by how flawlessly old and new architecture had been pieced together to create a modern feel [on College Hill].” But her first impression of the College went beyond that. “The more I explored the campus the more at home I felt. I stopped and talked to a few students who seemed willing to put their schedules on hold to talk about why they loved Hamilton. The atmosphere of the place itself felt right.”

From Teaneck, New Jersey, Ianthe is majoring in environmental studies, with a focus in agriculture and photography. She admits to spreading herself a little thin outside of class. She has played varsity volleyball and ice hockey, worked in the athletic training room, led multiple camping trips into the Adirondacks, and had an internship working with special needs children at BOCES. The BOCES experience, a component of an education course, proved particularly meaningful. “It showed me what a difference I could make to these students, but was an eye opening experience for me because I learned what a huge impact other people could make on my life too, even if I wasn’t expecting it.”

In addition to improving her speaking ability, Hamilton has taught Ianthe the importance of active listening. “Seeing as listening is at least half of communicating. I know I am better suited to enter the real world with my fully opened ears, as opposed to the partially opened ones I came to Hamilton with.” What sets the College apart she feels is the opportunity to “make the experience your own. Hamilton lets you set your own course, make your own mistakes, and find your true friends, without ever trying to push you into any molds or chase you away from your dreams.”