Brief Biography:

‍Thomas was born and raised in Zionsville, Indiana and is the middle of seven children. He grew up playing sports with his four older brothers and eventually found his passion for wrestling in high school, leading him to Purdue. At Purdue, Thomas got his degree in English Education and has returned to his hometown to teach middle school English and coach at the high school. He and his wife are expecting their first child this Christmas season.

Extracurricular Academic Activities:

‍I am a wrestling coach at Zionsville High School. I coach high school athletes and run middle school and elementary camps.

What brought you to Hillsdale?

‍I have been interested in Hillsdale for many years now. I now have three siblings who have gone or are currently going to Hillsdale. After becoming a teacher, I wanted to learn how to be better prepared to teach my students as a teacher and for educating children of my own in the future.

What has been the thing you’ve appreciated most about your time here?

‍I appreciate how genuine the professors and my peers have been. The professors have a genuine love of their subjects, really striving to get us to love what they are teaching as well. They have high expectations for us but also have prepared us for the challenge. Each professor has been different, but they have all been similar in their love for learning and desire to have us get the most out of their class. Overall, it has been a personal and thoughtful experience.

What has been your greatest academic challenge thus far? ‍

I have struggled the most to keep up with the extensive reading, while still reading with care. The primary and secondary texts we have been asked to read require great care. Reading them thoughtfully and getting through the material has been the biggest challenge.

What is distinctive about Hillsdale’s Graduate School of Classical Education?

‍What makes it distinct is its aim. The aim is not usefulness, productivity, financial gain, or prestige. The goal is to equip us to be teachers who inspire others to learn and equip them with a foundation to be well-rounded people. It aims at developing and transforming us as a whole person, not just intellectually.

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