Andon Crisp ’16 entered college with a wide variety of interests and found that SBU
provided a place where he could explore multiple pursuits. It’s not too often a double
major in chemistry and physics is also an actor in the school theatre! And while he
pursued the sciences academically, Andon is grateful for the personal development
received through participating in the theatre program.
“Participating in theatre made me a more well-rounded individual by exercising my artistic skill, while my classes exercised my logical skills,” Andon said. “This has made me a more valuable asset to companies and agencies in my life after college.”
When he wasn’t busy entertaining from the stage, Andon studied hard in the classroom. While the curriculum was rigorous, he knew his faculty cared about preparing him for a lifetime of success.
“The academics at SBU gave me the tools and mentality needed to brainstorm and design new products to sell to customers,” said Andon.
These problem-solving skills and creativity are propelling Andon to success as he now works as a sustaining engineer technician for Positronic Industries. In his job, Andon has helped develop new plating options for electronics and has helped design connectors that are being used in space, commercial, and military applications.
Andon credits the opportunity to get to know his professors personally as vital to his post-college success. Faculty helped Andon find internship opportunities, attend conventions, and secure job interviews.
“The faculty at SBU were some of my biggest role models and mentors,” Andon recalls. “The connections I made with my professors helped me advance in my career choice.”
As a science student, Andon is particularly grateful for the intentional faith integration found in the SBU classroom.
“SBU is unique because you learn ‘secular’ subjects through the eyes of faith,” Andon said. “I was able to grow in Christ while being able to study all the required subjects needed for my career.”
For someone with diverse interests like Andon, SBU is the perfect environment to interact with multiple disciplines, all shaped through the purpose of a Christian higher education, which is exactly why Andon is grateful for his time at SBU.
“I love SBU because it provided me both the opportunity to study chemistry and physics through a Christian worldview and to bring laughter to crowds of people through my performances as an actor.”