A biology major and management minor from Broadview Heights, Ohio, Alison Stalzer admits that she gets bored if she's not busy. She also realized early in her collegiate career that she had to stay motivated and disciplined to achieve her goals.
So far, so good. During her time at Wittenberg, Stalzer worked as a tour guide and intern for the Office of Admission, maintained a solid grade point average and was active in Colleges against Cancer. She also worked as an Orientation Assistant for the class of 2011 and participated in a Campus Crusade for Christ Spring Break trip to Mississippi in 2007 to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
"It only cost me $50 for the week's travel, food and lodgings. While there, we cut trees and cleaned up garbage," Stalzer said. "One person was so happy – it made it all worthwhile. It really helps your understanding to go outside your comfort zone and be in a position to make a difference to others."
Her interest in community service grew while at Wittenberg, as the university's community service requirement led her to work on interesting clinical trials in patient services at the Springfield Cancer Center. In addition, she enjoyed all aspects of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, including philanthropic projects conducted for the Ronald McDonald House and Springfield's Rocking Horse Center.
In between her service work, Stalzer explored the world and experienced other cultures while earning academic credit. She participated in a biology field study in the Bahamas as a sophomore and then participated in the university's first-ever China Silk Road field study class the next year.
"The China Silk Road was awesome," she said. "The best experience I've ever had, and I want to go back. I liked the conservative culture, and I met students younger than me at a medical school I visited.
"The best thing about Wittenberg is the opportunities it can give you," Stalzer continued. "It's all about what you grasp, and what you have time for. Things are not always going to go the way you want them to. Sometimes life will take you somewhere unexpected."
Stalzer plans to become an obstetrician/gynecologist with her own practice in the future.
"I like the way women's bodies work, and I interned with my ob/gyn, shadowed her," Stalzer said. "My biggest accomplishment was getting into medical school at West Virginia University. I have been recruited by the Naval Medical Corps. and will serve eight years at an officer's medical school training in the summer at a naval base. I will complete my education debt-free."
Stalzer advised future Wittenberg students to "take everything you have learned and all of your goals in life and use your passion to help others."
- Written by Phyllis Eberts '00
- Photo by Robbie Gantt
