Scholar Athlete/Globe Trotter Says Rutgers-Camden is Why He’s So Involved

Two days after Mike McClain of Washington Township graduates from Rutgers University—Camden, he’ll still be in class. Sort of.

He’ll be in Ireland seeing the places and experiencing the culture he has studied all semester in the course Literary Ireland. McClain, a biology major, made room for “fun classes,” as he calls them, by earning college credit the semester before he enrolled as a freshman.

“If it wasn’t for Rutgers—Camden, I wouldn’t be this involved. I wouldn’t have the friends I’ve made. I wouldn’t have traveled, joined clubs and played sports, all while carrying a full course load. To me, Rutgers—Camden is opportunity,” notes McClain.

While at Rutgers—Camden, McClain’s also seen a good part of the globe. In addition to Ireland, McClain has also traveled through Rutgers—Camden international studies courses to Greece, Turkey, Jordan, and to Egypt twice. Another “fun” class for McClain was an independent study on translating ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, inspired by his first visit to Egypt. On his return there, he was able to serve as a kind of student guide, even speaking Arabic and haggling in the oldest marketplace in the world.

McClain is also a scholar athlete, active in indoor and outdoor track and cross-country. In addition to training to compete as an independent athlete after graduation, McClain is also trying his hand a hurling, a popular, and dangerous, Irish sport.

The 2004 Bishop Eustace grad’s remarkable well-roundedness hasn’t gone unnoticed by Rutgers—Camden. In fact, he’s been honored recently with the Rutgers University—Camden Alumni Association College of Arts and Sciences, which recognizes graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the campus. According to Robert Emmons, associate director of the Honors College, where McClain is an active member, “There is no other student I can think of that has dedicated as much of himself to Rutgers-Camden than Michael McClain.”

After graduation and his European excursion, McClain plans to take the MCAT exam and apply to medical school.

Information about Commencement 2008