In ten years I imagine myself as a middle or high school teacher teaching social studies. There are so many things I wish I was taught in middle/high school that I didn’t learn about until college. We can’t dismantle corrupt systems until we know about them and how they function – so it’s better to start that work as early as possible. 

– lexie drew ’21

Why did you major in Religion?

My freshman year first semester class schedule was done for me by someone in CAS. I was randomly placed in Professor Morgenstein Fuerst’s “Comparing Religions” class and absolutely loved it. I remember leaving every class feeling like my brain was exploding and growing! I just kept thinking about the discussions, information, and questions that were brought up in each class. I was learning so much and having a lot of fun and so I just kept sneakily signing up for REL classes each semester.  Because I didn’t want to go without one, I eventually added it as my minor. Last semester, Professor Borchert and I realized I was only 8 credits away from a major and I decided to go for it. I am so happy I did and feel so proud to be a Religion major. 

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I imagine myself as a middle or high school teacher teaching social studies. There are so many things I wish I was taught in middle/high school that I didn’t learn about until college. We can’t dismantle corrupt systems until we know about them and how they function – so it’s better to start that work as early as possible. 

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

Oh my, what a tough question. I think all Religion classes are amazing (like actually I am not kidding), so any and all! But these were my favorite: 

• Islam & Modernity: I loved constantly trying to answer the question of “what is modernity?” and we read some really great books such as “Pious Fashion.” 
• Religion and Ways of Knowing Loved the books we read and it really expanded my knowledge in terms of the embodiment of religion and how religious meaning is created and found. 
• Seeing the Sacred: Love the focus of visuality and the senses. Studying Religion by focusing on the body has taught me so much about how it functions.
• Religious Literacy: I just feel like this is a really great class to take to understand how important it is to know about religion as it is literally everywhere. 

If you could write any book, what would it be?

“How to get the confidence to raise your hand!” Or something about a friendship between a turtle and a dog. Still deciding between the two. 

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

Gathering around the table in “Religion and Ways of Knowing.” It was so small and intimate. I felt so free to be speak, question, and wonder in that atmosphere. It’s cool to talk about humans and the human experience while being close to other humans! I think it helps things make more sense. That was one of my last classes before COVID. 

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

Things and people adapt under ever-changing circumstances. Religious communities are made up of people and so it makes sense that these communities change and shift based on particular contexts. Also, despite not being together physically, I still learned a lot virtually and was like seriously always in my pajamas.