My first experience meeting with a faculty member was during my first year June registration. At this moment, Jessica Imholte came into my life and changed it forever. She gave me a position working in the chemistry stockroom my first semester of college, was my lab professor for two classes, and then gave me a work study job as a teaching assistant in organic chemistry labs for every following semester of my Gustavus career. Jessica is a person that not only is a great lab professor, she is someone who deeply cares about her students. When my life became stressful, or full of troubles, Jessica was always a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and one of the best friends I have had the pleasure of making. She teaches with professionalism and grace while being incredibly funny and kind. It is clear she loves her job, and she is definitely teaching her students how to make their lives count.
I cannot describe the love I have for Jessica and for what she does. She has become someone I aspire to be like as I continue through life. She was my on-campus mother when I needed support. She helped me make challenging life decisions about my future career, as well as how to schedule my life. Every interaction I have with her, and the interactions I see her make with other students, is full of compassion, intelligence, and support. Without Jessica, I would have had a completely different experience at Gustavus. I cannot thank Jessica enough for helping me through difficult times, for pushing me to achieve my best, and for being an incredible friend. I will miss you and the other members of the Gustavus Chemistry Lab crew as I continue my journey. Jessica will always hold a special place in my heart and I know she will continue to positively change the lives of Gustavus students for years to come. Thank you for teaching me how to make my life count and for inspiring me to continue my dream of becoming a physician. I aspire to be like you when I “grow up”. I’ll miss you dearly.
Kellen Andersen ’17