James-Michael Brazill ’11 doesn’t consider himself an elite scholar or athlete, but he’s still found a way to leave his mark at Wabash College.
The senior spent the 2010 summer as an intern for the All-College Course committee. A group comprised of faculty and students, the committee was faced with the task of constructing a class to replace the long-standing Culture and Traditions course required of all sophomores.
Brazill’s Wabash passion is fueled in part by the generous financial aid package he received.
The Decatur, Ind. native knew his parents would not be able to help pay for his education. As a 21st Century Scholar, Brazill was guaranteed financial assistance from the state if he attended an Indiana public school. However, after visiting several times during his high school years and conversations with his uncle, Tim Brazill ’79, James-Michael knew Wabash was the place.
“There is absolutely no way I would be here if not for the merit scholarships I’ve received,” he said. “I try to let everyone know about the opportunity I’ve been given, especially when I hear someone say they’re not going to go to college because they can’t afford it. If you’re the right fit for Wabash, they will find a way to get you here. I’m a living example of Wabash’s generosity.”
When the future of C&T came into question, Brazill became heavily involved in the campus-wide discussions. At first, the religion major/philosophy minor, like many students, was leery of replacing the course.
“I was really concerned about losing some of the important qualities of C&T,” he said. “It didn’t matter what major a student was, he was going to be exposed to the classical works and the liberal arts through C&T.”
The concerns were one of the main reasons Brazill applied for the summer internship, a position that sought a student who wanted to maintain the essence of C&T while still giving it a modern and stream-lined lift.
“The C&T course has lasted more than 30 years - it connects generations of Wabash men,” Brazill said. “It’s been a humbling experience getting the opportunity to help create the course to replace C&T. We hope the new course will be able to last another thirty years. This course will impact hundreds of future Wabash men. I feel privileged to play just a small part in the process.”
