Karenna Merritt (she/her)
Interests
My interests include hiking, biking, skiing, hammocking, and all things outdoors! When I'm not doing homework or exploring nature, I also love watching sitcoms and listening to music. On campus, I am a member of Alpha Kapp Psi, which is a professional development club. I used the skills I learned there to become an undergraduate research assistant, which has quickly become one of my greatest passions!
Major
Geophysics, Minors in Mathematics and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies
Hometown
DuPont, WA
What I'm passionate about and why
I am extremely passionate about the earth! As a geophysics major, I study our planet’s physical phenomena, which I could talk about for hours. When my time at Western draws to a close, I intend to use the knowledge I have gained to pursue a graduate degree in secondary education - specifically to teach science and mathematics. I ultimately want to inspire the next generation to become interested in climate and other geophysical issues, as these subjects are crucial to the sustainability of our civilization and planet.
What I like most about Bellingham
I love Bellingham’s proximity to an array of different activities! Mt. Baker is only about an hour away, providing incredible skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Chuckanut Drive, just outside Bellingham, also offers great hiking spots and breathtaking views of the bay. Vancouver and Seattle are both close by too, which can make for super fun weekend trips! However, there are cute shops, gorgeous beaches, and well-kept trails all within city limits, so it’s easy to find things to do around town on any day of the week.
Why I chose Western
As a mid-size state school, Western provides the best of both worlds; it has the academic resources and athletic programs of a larger university, while still maintaining small class sizes and tight-knit student organizations. I also appreciate that there are countless opportunities for undergraduates to conduct hands-on research with faculty, which can’t be said for every college. Not to mention, the campus and surrounding area are both beautiful!