Ask junior Curtis Law what’s the best part about attending Keuka College and he’ll tell you it’s the connections he’s made.
Whether among classmates, professors, or the clients he has worked with through various Field Period® internships, Curtis has created close-knit bonds that have guided and enhanced his educational experience.
“I’ve been surprised by how much of an impact this small school has had on my life,” said Curtis, an Occupational Therapy major. “People often think that small schools have less going on, but there’s actually a lot happening if you engage with the community. I’ve formed connections with a variety of people, which has enriched my college experience.”
Perhaps no connections have been stronger than those he made with the patients he served during his junior year Field Period, at the Vida Adult Home in Oxford, New York. Caring for adults with conditions such as dementia and muscular dystrophy deepened Curtis’s understanding of patient care and treatment.
Curtis said he appreciates the accessibility and enthusiasm of Keuka College's OT faculty, singling out his advisor, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Michelle Bennett ’05 M’06, at left. "She brings such positive energy to the classroom," he said, "making every lesson engaging."
“Connecting with the patients was really meaningful for me,” Curtis said. “I learned how to understand their needs and preferences for care. I realized that knowing each patient as an individual is crucial.”
He said the experience tied closely into his classes, highlighting how Keuka College blends experiential learning with academic study. His Field Period placements, which have ranged from working in a school setting to in-home nursing care, have reinforced his ambition to work in a hospital setting.
“I’m particularly interested in outpatient care, where I can have quick, focused sessions with patients,” he said. “I’m also open to long-term care because I value the individualized approach to patient care.”
Curtis, third from left, enjoys spending time with fellow members of the Students of Occupational Therapy Association, a key component of the OT program at Keuka College.
These one-on-one connections have become a hallmark of Curtis’s time at Keuka College. In addition to consulting with his advisor, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Michelle Bennett ’05 M’06 – “She always there to help me whenever I need it” – Curtis has found a family within the Students of Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), which has helped him thrive through study groups and social events.
Expanding his sense of community, Curtis also served as a peer mentor to new students this fall, leading activities for 46 members of the incoming class during orientation week.
With connections that reach from classmates to clients, professors, and new students, Curtis says his educational experience is one of a kind, a direct result of Keuka College’s supportive, close-knit culture.
“Everyone has their own college experience, but mine is definitely special,” said Curtis. “Some of my friends attend larger schools, but I feel that Keuka College offers a similar experience on a smaller scale, which is wonderful.”
