Jessica Keller
Year: 2018
Hometown and what you love about it:
Pittsburgh! I love it here because there’s always something to do, whether it is going out to eat at any kind of restaurant you could think of, going to museums, biking on the trails throughout the entire city, or going to shows that range from classical music to rock concerts. I also have always appreciated that Pittsburgh is a big city with that small town feel.
Areas of study and why you chose them:
My areas of study are currently biochemistry and psychology. I chose these fields because they allow me to combine my interests and skills cohesively.
Why did you choose Chatham?
I felt as though Chatham would get me to where I want to be in the future, while being a second home to me along the way.
Suppose you can assign a book for every member of the Chatham community to read. Which one do you pick and why?
I would assign Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, which is a novel that follows a teenage boy as he listens to thirteen cassette tapes that make up the suicide note for a girl he knew. Each of the cassette tapes tell the story of one person who affected her life whether negatively or not, and altogether they explain what drove her to end her life. I would recommend this book because it brings up the domino effect of every choice every person makes – how all of our lives are intertwined for the good and the bad. I also believe the writing style is very unique because it goes between the narrative of the cassette tapes and the inner thoughts of the main character who is listening to them, and I think students would gain from experiencing this writing style.
You have a friend coming to visit Pittsburgh, and you can only take them to do one thing. What do you choose and why?
Only one thing! This is hard because there are so many things I like to do here. I think I would have to say that I would take them to a concert at Mr. Smalls Theatre. The atmosphere is so nice there, and you’re always close to the performer even if you are all the way in the back of the venue.
If a prospective student asked you to name one thing to do while they’re visiting campus, what would you tell them?
I would tell them to definitely go to Cafe Rachel to try one of the monthly specials, and just talk to some students there. They would get to enjoy a great drink and find out about Chatham from people who know what is going on!
What is the most unexpected course you’ve taken at Chatham? What did you enjoy most about it?
I’m only in my first semester so I cannot properly answer this question yet – all of the courses I’m currently taking I expected to take. However, in the future, I plan on taking a World Religions course – which is something I never thought I would take, but seems extremely intriguing to me now.
Imagine you can pick one TV or movie character to be your best friend for life. Who do you pick and why?
I would want Hua Mulan from the animated Disney film to be my best friend for life because she is such a strong, independent woman. She even manages to save all of China in the face of adversity.
If you’re dressing up for Halloween this year, what are you planning to be?
I am dressing up as Misa Amane from the anime Death Note this year.
What was your favorite childhood costume?
Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I haven’t been able to dress as a Disney princess since I was young, so hopefully I will be able to in the near future.
What do you love most about Halloween?
I personally enjoy getting dressed up and being able to spend time with others who are also dressed up. I think it gives people a different sense of confidence than they usually have, and it is just so fun for everyone involved.
If you were to go trick-or-treating, which candy would you definitely hope to get?
I would definitely hope to get some Reese’s cups!
Childhood Dream Job:
My childhood dream job changed frequently, but the one that sticks out in my memory is that I wanted to be a geologist.
Current Dream Job:
I would love to be able to do research that would attempt to improve treatments used for mental health ailments, specifically ones like bipolar disorder.
What do you love most about being a Chatham student?
I love the sense of community on campus. I make new friends almost every week, and everyone is always extremely willing to help – whether it is faculty or students. I have moments of peace where I feel as though Chatham is exactly where I need to be, and that is a very wonderful feeling.