Rising senior Dustin Rutter is a student of many passions. History, criminal justice, soccer, working with children and traveling are just a few. Thanks to The University of Olivet’s wide array of student involvement opportunities, Dustin is able to pursue all his passions while preparing for a successful future.
“I’m from Warren, right outside of Detroit,” Dustin said. “There were more students at my high school than there are at The University of Olivet. It was a culture shock at first, but I really prefer the personal relationships and small class sizes. I was first drawn to the College after seeing one of my friends attend. Originally, I was interested in criminal justice, especially the experiences students are afforded outside of the classroom.”
Dustin’s interest in criminal justice stems back to a childhood dream. He’s always looked up to law enforcement officials and admired their dedication to community service.
“Since I was a kid I wanted to be in law enforcement,” Dustin said. “I was actually able to gain some experience working with the Warren Police Department to run a summer baseball program for underprivileged kids who can’t afford to play in the rec leagues. I served as an umpire before stepping up to lead the program. I told the kids that I would do whatever I could to help them. I got there early and stayed late. It was great building relationships with the players and police officers in the program.”
When Dustin arrived at OC, a double major in criminal justice and history was the perfect fit. While the two paths may not be an obvious fit, they are the perfect pair for Dustin’s personal and professional goals.
“I went to Spain as a sophomore in high school,” Dustin explained. “I got to stand in buildings that were older than the entire United States, and it sparked my interest in history. I enjoyed my history classes, but I also went beyond my studies to learn about wars and other major events. After graduation, I’m going to enter the military, and my background in history and criminal justice will definitely be a great foundation. I’m interested in the Air Force, and having a degree will also allow me to apply for officer school.
“Many people have asked me why I wanted to go to college if I always planned on serving in the military. After talking with recruiters, we determined that a degree would be a great way to advance me toward officer school while allowing me more time to mature and the opportunity to play college athletics.”
Playing soccer holds another strong spot in the list of Dustin’s passions. Continuing to play the sport he loves in college has been a dream come true. While the road hasn’t been easy — Dustin missed his sophomore season due to an injury and spent his junior year redeveloping — he enjoys chasing goals and bonding with teammates.
In between his studies and soccer games, Dustin still finds time to participate in other student activities. He is a member of the Criminal Justice Honor Society and serves as an intern for Nikki Magie, Ph.D., assistant professor of social sciences and college archivist. Dustin has a goal to return to Spain for the chance to study abroad, and he’s also learning Spanish, a skill that will benefit him in the military.
Dustin’s advice for other students is simple: “If you have more than one passion, go for it! Professors and coaches are going to support you, and the experiences will help prepare you for the real world.”
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admissions at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
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