Annie Stimmel ’20

Environmental Science

Biography

I graduated from Taylor in 2020 with a degree in Environmental Science. Unfortunately, the pandemic shut many things down, including my senior year golf career and the opportunity to compete at Nationals, and prospects of finding an internship or job after graduating. However, the Lord was faithful and provided me with all of these things in His timing. I was offered another year of eligibility to play golf. I also enrolled in Taylor's Transition to Teaching program. In the following spring of 2021, the golf team placed 2nd at Nationals! I was a middle school science teacher at Liberty Christian School in Anderson, IN for the 21-22 school year. I have now moved to Columbus, OH where I just accepted another teaching position as an 8th grade science teacher at Worthington Christian.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Some of my most valuable experiences at Taylor were the many athletic trips, field trips, mission trips, and study abroad trips. I was able to play some pretty cool golf courses where PGA events are held, including Whistling Straits and PGA National. In my environmental science classes, we went on many field trips. That is where a lot of environmental work is done—the field! I was able to study in the Black Hills of South Dakota at the Wheaton College Science Station where I learned about the natural history of the land by visiting some awesome national and state parks. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Malawi and Zambia. This course allowed me to work with World Renew, learn about sustainable agriculture, and help with community development initiatives. These trips gave me some real world experiences and provided me with lessons that are priceless compared to learning in a classroom.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

The professors have been a huge help. They assisted me in finding my path, and still talks things through with me today! They also influenced me by showing me that initiative gets things done and passed on their enthusiasm for sustainability and agriculture to me. They are down-to-earth and caring professors, who opened the door for me to ask many questions and discover their answers. The biggest impact that these professors made was that their beliefs were rooted in God's call to be good stewards of what we are given, and how creation care is part of that call. That belief is a seed that was planted in me long ago, and they watered and cultivated it in me so that my roots are now deep as well.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

The Taylor University foundational core gives you a diverse set of skills. It provides you with the ability to work with people from different backgrounds and with different interests. In the environmental world, you can enter a number of different jobs. Having the skills derived from a liberal arts foundational core shows that you are teachable—you can learn whatever is thrown at you.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Try to find summer internships in different sectors of environmental work. You can specialize in so many different areas. It is hard to pick one! Gaining a variety of experience is beneficial to figuring out where your passions and ultimate vocation line up.