Matthew Cowin, Staff Writer
Ally McCasland (C ‘26) of Bentonville, Arkansas, first applied to Sewanee as a Chemistry major. During her freshman year, she switched majors to Philosophy. “It was important in learning how to think”, she said. While pursuing her academic path, Ally also thrived as a volleyball player: “I really liked the teamwork and rhythm of the game. It helped draw me to the community aspect of Sewanee.”
Now a senior, McCasland is pursuing a major in Economics with minors in Rhetoric and Business. She credits the course Developmental Economics with Dr. Misra as inspiration for her major choice. In base form, the study pairs human and mechanical components. “For example, there is simplicity in supply and demand. Also, there is capital that applies to the psychology of a mass group of people affected by economics, and so efficiency is not everything.” Aside from specific course subjects, McCasland also details her introduction to the liberal arts in High School.
In High School, McCasland took an AP Seminar course with instructor Katy Moore related to societal topics. “I was a good student in High School. It was eye-opening in that we began to find themes among sources and make connections across concepts and people, then build the broad picture as you assemble the parts.” The course drew McCasland to the liberal arts with particular emphasis on multiple perspectives.
As a freshman, McCasland took Introduction to Rhetoric with Dr. O’Rourke. “I understood rhetorical concepts from high school, but never knew the extent to which I’d experience them in college. His main lesson was the difference between vocational education (specific traits and skills) and liberal arts education (civic leadership).” The idea of a civic leader is further present in her study of speeches by political leaders in her current rhetoric course, Oratory in Ancient and Modern with Dr. Papillon. “We must interpret various speeches by Demosthenes or Robert F. Kennedy in Indianapolis and how they relate to what we hear in rhetoric.” Civic leadership in academic study propels McCasland’s own work as a leader on Sewanee’s campus.
On campus, McCasland is involved in a number of activities and organizations. Most notably, she is the President of the Student Government Association that democratically facilitates student voice and needs. “What’s special about ourselves as leaders is not what we accomplish, but what we leave as we create a culture of understanding and intellectual curiosity,” McCasland notes the small classes at Sewanee as significant for their unique learning environment. “Being at Sewanee, we very much take small classes for granted. I love the conversational aspect – it is a classroom, but it is also a habitat for learning and community.”
As for the future, McCasland is not entirely sure of her next steps. “I never know what is to come, but I wish to fulfill the best of each stage. I’m confident in what we do in Sewanee and the idea of leaving a legacy behind.” On the domain, McCasland has most definitely put her best foot forward in both course studies and the application of civic leadership in providing for others and creating a hospitable environment for all.