Gannon University

I stopped by Gannon to sit in on several employment interviews and was rather pleased with what I heard and saw.
Gannon isa Catholic University located in the heart of Erie, Pennsylvania and though Erie is the third largest city in Pennsylvania, it tends to be somewhat of a struggling rustbelt city having limited career opportunities, as are most cities bordering upon any one of the Great Lakes. However, in spite of its rather adverse location, both the college and the students seem to have risen above their otherwise gloomy surroundings. Indeed I found the faculty, their credentials and the student accomplishments to be far better than what I had expected. Every student I spoke with seemed not only to be very well mannered but more important, as well versed in their chosen academic field as I’ve ever found at any college regardless of the fact that most have generally held a higher ranking. In part, I think this may be because of the fact that Gannon seems to have been able to attract and keep the best and the brightest, though those may be few in number, of its regional area.

GUnit!
I’ve put off this review for a while because, frankly, I get emotional when I think about Gannon University and my college years in Erie, PA. Were those the best years of my life? Not really, but they were certainly some of the most meaningful.
Nearly a decade ago I chose GU with the help of my parents. I knew I wanted to go to a smallish private school for my undergrad education; a big campus wasn’t for me. I’m Catholic and appreciated that GU is a Catholic school but that the school isn’t too over-​the-​top in terms of religious affiliation. I also loved GU’s emphasis on liberal arts and its pretty campus speckled with art. One visit was all it took to convince me that I wanted to spend 4 years of my life here.
By the way, some Cliffs Notes on extreme Erie weather…
Winter: A lot of people can’t handle the depressing, frigid, long winters with whipping icy winds. I distinctly recall walking to some final exams in a blizzard on May 2^nd one year; let that sink in for a second.
Summer: Summertime is pretty amazing! You’ve got the State Street bar scene, gorgeous Presque Isle, boat-​infested Lake Erie, and much more at your disposal.
I was a Pre-​Med/​Biology major and am at a loss for words – a rare occurrence for me – to express my love for the GU Biology Department. I’ll just divulge the following for emphasis: I send the Biology Department a Christmas card every year.
I haven’t been back since I graduated and thus owe GU a visit in a major way. Apparently huge changes have occurred since my graduation and subsequent move to California to start my career – for starters, a major remodel of the cold outdated Zurn Science Center and an additional Freshman dormitory.
It was at Gannon that I…
…met some of the most brilliant and interesting people I’ve encountered to date.
…took more biology classes than I can count.
…influenced – for better or for worse! – hundreds of students as a Lab Assistant.
…studied as though my life depended on it.
…averaged probably 4 – 5 hours of sleep a night.
…laughed – alot.
…took the MCAT twice.
…cried – a lot.
…was involved in more clubs/​organizations than a sane human being should be.
And ultimately learned a whole lot about myself.
I love this university!