St. Andrews Opens World to Texas Native

Laurinburg, N.C. - When Caitlin Haney started looking for colleges, it was the equestrian offerings at St. Andrews Presbyterian College that caught her eye.

"I have always known about St. Andrews but when a couple of alums moved to the area I became more interested," said the Austin, Texas native. "I came to St. Andrews to be a part of the equestrian team."

Her academic accomplishments in high school earned her a spot in the St. Andrews General Honors Program under the direction of Dr. Neal Bushoven.

"Caitlin has taken advantage of St. Andrews to grow as a person," Bushoven said. "She came here because of the equestrian program and look at all the things she's become involved in. She is the answer to the question of what's there to do at St. Andrews."

Currently serving as the vice president of the Student Government Association, Haney has served as a general education mentor, an honors program mentor and the lead delegate to the Model United Nations for two years while majoring in both politics and philosophy. She has also been named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, been inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and earned the Fouke Award for Excellence in the Study of Politics.

"Since I've been at St. Andrews, I've wandered the streets of Vietnam, been to the top of the Empire State Building, attended the Model UN and attended a philosophy conference at the University of Arkansas where I was the only undergraduate there," said Haney.

That conference was the Third Annual Meeting of the Hannah Arendt Circle at the end of March. Arendt was a political philosopher born in Germany in 1906.

Haney stumbled upon the conference in doing research for her honors thesis on how the lack of public discourse has greatly contributed to the problems in society. Haney decided she wanted to attend the event but was concerned over the funding for the conference. In discussing the conference and the possibilities with Bushoven, Haney learned that she would be able to attend utilizing funds from the Neal Bushoven Endowment Fund.

"It was exciting to be able to send her to this conference," Bushoven said. "At first she was intimidated as the only undergraduate there, but she quickly realized the quality of education she received had prepared her for this conference. She is a true representative of what St. Andrews can be."

Haney was honored to be the school's representative. "I was grateful that the honors program was willing to risk sending me to this event by paying for half the conference," she said. "I wound up discussing things with these professors and graduate students that really helped me with my thesis."

"I realized that the parts of my thesis that I had done had interpreted the philosopher's work correctly," Haney said. "I understood this really complex philosopher not used typically until the graduate level."

In fact, as the only undergraduate student at the conference, Haney was frequently engaged in conversations with distinguished professors from colleges and universities across the country.

"As I was having one of these conversations I almost slipped and called one of my professors my friend," Haney said. "I wasn't sure how that would be received. The professor I was speaking with said to never be ashamed of that, that it was something that all professors strive for, but that it is primarily achieved at the graduate level. I came to the realization that I've had opportunities at St. Andrews that I never would have had otherwise."

Haney was highly appreciative of the St. Andrews educational experience as she handled the formal discussions at the conference as well.

"With classes that are discussion based at St. Andrews, I was able to participate and articulate ideas I had and respond to the questions others had for me," she said. "If it wasn't for St. Andrews, I wouldn't have had the skills to do that."

Haney will continue to utilize the skills she gained at St. Andrews after her graduation in May as she joins AmeriCorps as a Vista volunteer acting as a volunteer coordinator for Girls Inc. in Indianapolis. Girls Incorporated is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc., has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent and fulfilling lives.

"I was highly interested in this opportunity even though I've never been to Indianapolis because of the gender issues classes I've taken at St. Andrews," Haney said. "I've also gained the confidence at St. Andrews that I can go anywhere and be successful."

About St. Andrews Presbyterian College

An innovative and bold academic venture to an interdisciplinary curriculum, a highly acclaimed college press, an award-winning pipe band, national champion equestrian teams, and first-rate scholarship have marked the distinctive character of St. Andrews. In addition to classes on the main campus, adult learners also choose the Center for Adult and Professional Studies opportunities through St. Andrews @ Sandhills and St. Andrews ONLINE.

On Aug. 29, 1958, the merger between Presbyterian Junior College and Flora Macdonald College became official with the formation St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C. Further information may be obtained by visiting the College's website www.sapc.edu, calling 800-763-0198 or sending an e-mail to info@sapc.edu