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People Profiles
Christine Everson
- Hometown: Spokane, WA
- Major: Mathematics
- Minor: Sociology
Why Western?
I had visited Bellingham and felt at home. The size was great and I knew that the teaching program was well-respected.
Encouraging Professor
Dr. Read in the Math department was the first professor to really invest in my time here at Western. He has been incredibly pivotal in my academic experience because he persuaded me to pursue a B.S. in Math as opposed to a B.A. in Math Education. I still plan on getting my teaching certificate but Dr. Read encouraged me to not limit my options in the field of mathematics, because he believed that I was capable of more than I thought I was. He has also helped me get my job in the Math Center.
The Fun Side of Math
Dr. Read makes math fun. He wears a hat with the Disney character “Goofy” on it for tests and hands out candy. Even though the tests were very difficult, we always looked forward to them because of this. Dr. Read also sings Christmas carols every year but instead of Christmas words, we sing math words. For instance, instead of “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way” we sing, “Cosine sine, cosine sine, tangent all the way,” It is terribly nerdy but I love it every year!
A Sense of Belonging
Being a part of the Math Center has been incredible. I have made so many friends with whom I can sit down and talk about abstract algebra with or discuss life philosophy, depending on our mood that day. About once a quarter the tutors have a get together at someone’s house. There are twenty of us and we make dinner together and hang out. We try to limit ourselves from talking about math, but sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. We have developed tons of inside jokes over the years and have created this funny little family that I feel so blessed to be a part of.
Outside the Classroom
I am very involved at the INN which is a campus ministry held through First Presbyterian Church. The INN has been an incredible community for me here at Western and I can’t imagine college without those wonderful people.
Life in Bellingham
I love how locally-oriented Bellingham is. It is so much fun to find a new coffee shop or restaurant and then introduce my friends to my new “find”. I also love how many outdoor options Bellingham has to offer. There are so many parks and the pace of the city allows you to get out and enjoy them.
Life after Graduation
I will be applying for an internship at The INN Ministries and hopefully will return to Western after a year to get my master’s degree in teaching.