What do soccer and Mathletes have in common? For senior Ann Fetzer, they’re just two of the components that have made her experience at Olivet both valuable and fulfilling. Originally searching for a college where she could play soccer, Ann came across Olivet and immediately fell in love.
“Olivet felt like home,” Ann said. “I felt welcomed and knew I could spend four years here getting a good education and playing soccer.”
Ann went above and beyond in her soccer career; she won 2018 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Second Team honors. But at the beginning, she had a tough start.
“My first two years on the team, I had a lot of growing to do as a soccer player,” Ann said. “But I decided to give it everything I had, and I think it paid off. I really learned how to work toward a goal. My team was nothing but supportive.”
Ann’s soccer experience also helped her develop skills off the field. During her time on the team, she worked together with her teammates, which taught her how to be successful despite challenges and changing circumstances. She also learned time management skills.
“Being a student-athlete is a big time commitment,” Ann said. “Time management is incredibly important to stay on top of things. At OC, I definitely developed the ability to manage my time. It’s a skill I will take into my professional life as well.”
Beyond the Playing Field
Soccer isn’t the only activity on Ann’s plate. As an actuarial science major and computer science minor, Ann keeps herself busy with plenty of math-related activities, including Mathletes. She also volunteers as a robotics team mentor at the local middle school and math tutor at the elementary and middle schools. She enjoys passing on her knowledge and being a part of the children’s education.
Ann attributes her own positive academic experience to her professors.
“My professors have always shown dedication to their classes and what they are teaching,” she said. “They have a passion for learning, and everyone is here to see you succeed and help you succeed. Had I not had these experiences with my professors, my experience here would be very different. I wouldn’t have enjoyed learning as much as I do.”
Originally an environmental science major, Ann supplemented her class schedule with a calculus course. She soon realized her passion for math, and with the encouragement of her now-roommate, she switched her major to actuarial science. An internship in analytics, during which she examined insurance company policies and advised better solutions, further fueled her desire to pursue a career in actuarial science. As graduation approaches, Ann plans to find a job in data analytics.
The Right Choice
According to Ann, Olivet has transformed her education into a unique, rewarding experience. “I look at my relationships with my professors, my athletic experience and the friends I’ve made, and it makes me feel confident that I made the right choice,” she said.
Ann’s soccer career at Olivet has taken her far, and thanks to the positive experience she’s had at OC, she plans to continue playing soccer post-graduation. She and her friends are already researching coed community teams. And about those Mathletes? While it might be hard to find a Mathletes team in the professional world, she’ll soon be translating that passion for math into a career in data analysis.
Learn more about The University of Olivet and programs available to students, like actuarial science and computer science, by scheduling a campus visit. Contact the Office of Admissions at 800.456.7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu with questions.