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Max W.

Ambassador at Emory University

Class of 2025

Hometown: Livingston, NJ

Major: Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology

Secondary Major: Dance and Movement Studies


What has been your most impactful class?

IDS 190, Plato's Republic in a Contemporary Perspective, has been my most impactful class. I love that Emory includes a First-Year Seminar as a General Education Requirement. Unlike most large lecture-style introductory courses, the seminar is designed to engage students in conversation with their professor and peers. My professor Dr. Peter Wakefield on the first day walked into class, baseball cap backwards, “new student” nametag stuck to his shirt, and comically pretended to be a student, subtly facilitating philosophic conversation. Besides being an expert in Platonism and Aristotelianism, he cares about his students on a personal level. He beings each class with “community news” where we tell him about what’s going on in our lives. He keeps things exciting by frequently bringing in guests like Dean of Emory College Michael Elliot…Not many college students can say they had the opportunity to speak one on one with the Dean. Professor Wakefield even encourages my classmates and I to hangout outside of class, offering extra points for watching movies together and relating them to the Republic. When we were learned about the Peripatetic Method, which describes the how Aristotle conducted discussions with students while walking about in the Lyceum of ancient Athens, he brought the concept to life by teaching the lesson wandering through Lullwater Park. He celebrated the end of our Semester by inviting us over to his house for "Platonic Mac and Cheese."

My favorite thing to do in Atlanta is...

My favorite sight in Atlanta is the Georgia Aquarium.

What is your favorite Emory tradition?

My favorite Emory tradition is Twilight Breakfast. During finals week, which can be very stressful, they opened the dining hall from ten at night through midnight and served breakfast. Besides the delicious pastries, it was nice to take a break from studying and enjoy fun with my friends.

On a random day, you're most likely to find me….

On a random day, you're most likely to find me at the Woodruff PE Center in the weight room or at Ebrick Coffee Room studying above the Carlos Museum.

I'm passionate about...

Learning Languages Hiking/Backpacking

I'm involved with...

Emory Student Ambassador Emory EMS Conversation Partners Weightlifting
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