“Wittenberg offers you an experience of a lifetime -- a chance to be inspired, challenged, and to succeed. That's Wittenberg. The faculty and staff are not just employees, they become your family. The students become your best friends for life. The experience, well, that's unbeatable. While at Wittenberg, nothing is impossible. You dream it, Witt will do all it can to make it happen. You believe in it, then Witt will help you prove it. You think of it, Witt will listen and help your idea become a reality. That's the experience one can get here at Wittenberg. It's no surprise that our motto is ‘Having light we pass it on to others’ because at Witt you find your light quickly and are inspired to shine and share the light every chance you get. You have the chance to make a difference, to bring about change, and to be all you can be. Cheesy – sounds like it, but that's the bottom line put plain and simple. At Witt, you become part of an experience that surpasses any expectations you could have ever imagined. You will change, but at the same time, you will bring about change!” – Aaron Moore’12
When Aaron Moore joined the Wittenberg family four years ago, he never imagined the life-and-death journey that would unfold.
While traveling with fellow Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers to a Greek Life conference in Indiana in 2010, Moore and his friends were in car accident, one that left Moore severely injured.
“Having had a 50 percent chance of survival after the accident and having to cope with third- and fourth-degree burns, my life seemed to have turned upside down,” Moore explains. “Doctors had doubts, but I had determination. I fought to regain my life and to get back to Witt as soon as possible.”
To so do, Moore had to learn to walk again, and he had to keep fighting each day.
“As I returned to Witt, I came back with the mentality that nothing could stop me. I took on Wittenberg, wanting to do everything as if the accident never occurred. Having had the opportunity to be a part of so many areas of campus, I began to see that I was changing. It's as if with every step I took with my little walker, I was figuring out who I was and wanted to be. I loved everything about Witt and college in general, and how it inspires us to challenge ourselves, to go above and beyond and never settle for the status quo.”
Little did Moore know that his journey and the environment at Wittenberg would coalesce in such a way as to reveal his true calling.
“I realized that although I had a love for psychology, my passion was in the very field that I was immersed in – college life. I began to think hard about my future, realizing that I wanted to be a part of an environment that allows us to grow and conquer more than ever before.”
As a result, Moore is heading to The Ohio State University after graduation to earn a master of education and student affairs.
“We are immersed in an environment here that fosters independence, challenges us, and encourages us to go above and beyond. No matter what road lies ahead, we become close with the faculty, staff and students, ultimately being surrounded by ‘family,’ where nothing is impossible. With this outlook and mentality, we have the opportunity to dream the impossible, and accomplish far more than we perhaps ever imagined,” Moore says.
“During my time here at Witt, I must say that the total Wittenberg experience has inspired me. The numerous opportunities to get involved on campus both inside and outside of the classroom has allowed me to discover who I am. I will forever owe gratitude to my fraternal experience in Beta Theta Pi, having the chance to lead and work side by side with men that have created a lifelong fraternal experience, which will never be forgotten.
“I am also grateful for all the wonderful people here in student affairs as they were role models who inspired me to make a difference. They were by my side as I grew as a leader to mentor and challenge me. Ultimately, I look at everything that Witt offered as a package deal. The faculty, staff, and students made it a family environment, which caused me to feel like I gained a second home. The opportunities allowed me to grow and change into the man I am today. The experience made me realize that if I put my mind to it, I have the opportunity to make a difference and inspire others like myself as they begin their college journey.”
Written By: Karen Gerboth
Photo By: Erin Pence
