Lindsey Bernhardt
Lindsey Bernhardt
Class Year
’14
Hometown
Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Major(s)
History, Social Science
Minor(s)
Secondary Education
Lindsey Bernhart loves the friendly atmosphere at Carthage. In fact, it’s one of the reasons that Lindsey was drawn into the school. “My other college choices were enormous campuses, and it felt like I didn’t matter,” she said. As soon as Lindsey became a student at Carthage, she knew she made the right choice. “It felt like more of a family with the professors and the other students in my majors.”
Lindsey is double majoring in history and broad-field social science, and she has a minor in secondary education. Her minor has even allowed her to do research in Carthage’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. Lindsey and Prof. Karen Sconzert interviewed local representatives about the Racine School Voucher System. As an aspiring middle or high school teacher, Lindsey called this “a great hands-on experience.”
Career goal
“I want to be a middle or high school teacher in Kenosha.”
How have Carthage faculty had an impact on your life or Carthage career?
“This answer changes all the time. The entire History Department faculty are my favorite professors because they are so knowledgeable in their subject area and so personable with their students. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the lot of them.”
Favorite class
“My favorite class was History of India where we held a simulation of India’s independence. We were all assigned a character and got to make speeches trying to gain support from the class for our cause. It was a really unique way to learn about India’s independence, and I’ll never forget it.”
Campus involvement
“I am President of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history fraternity.”
Toughest class
“My toughest class has to be Senior Seminar. Preparing a thesis paper and presentation is very stressful but also rewarding. Prof. Mitchell, who is my professor for the class, holds us to the highest standards and pushes us to do our best.”
Internships or on-campus employment
“I did a SURE project this last summer for the Education Department. I did research with Prof. Sconzert interviewing local representatives about the Racine School Voucher System. It was a great hands-on experience that had me learn from local politicians about a pressing issue that will effect me in my future.”
Opportunities at Carthage
“Carthage has given me so many opportunities from studying economics in South Africa to becoming the President of Carthage’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta. I would never have imagined doing all these things without the professors pushing me and giving me opportunities.”
Favorite moments and memories at Carthage
“I think my favorite moment will be when I finish this semester. I know I will have a moment where I will finally realize that I made it.”
Favorite spot on campus
“My favorite spot on campus is in the bottom of Lentz Hall. There are a bunch of tables and huge windows looking out over the lake. This is my favorite place to go when I have a big reading assignment that I need to get done for class.”
What would your 8-year-old self think of you now?
“I think my 8-year-old self would think I am nuts with how much I have to read and by what my thesis is about. I hope she would be proud of all that I have accomplished though. I know that in my wildest dreams I would never have imagined going to South Africa to do humanitarian work. I hope she would be impressed.”
Why should other students consider your major? What advice do you have for them?
“Read, read, and keep reading. Become a pro at reading fast and efficiently because this will be the best skill you can possess once you reach the higher classes. Buy your books, get a highlighter, and mark the books up with notes. It will come in handy when the professors discuss the sections in class.”