Connor Watson, Politics '23

Seminarian, United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia

Connor Watson

I graduated with my B.A. in Politics in May 2023. I now attend United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, working toward my Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, on track to become a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Aside from my studies and work life, I am also co-authoring with my former professor, Sumru Atuk, a piece that juxtaposes the conservative religious (Christian and Islamic) rhetoric in the politics of the United States and Turkey, and how this rhetoric directly leads to violence and "othering" of LGBTQ+ individuals in both countries.

Courses with the faculty at Ithaca College showed me the realities of living in war-torn areas, living in severe poverty, and the work that needs to be done in addressing systemic inequalities in our society. Working with Chip Gagnon on my Dana Summer Scholars project looking at the response to AIDS by the governments of former President Ronald Reagan and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was also influenced by my study in the politics department. The practice of intense study and writing have prepped me not only for master's-level work, but also for the workforce, where, in my vocation, constant study and writing is still of utmost importance.

Studying politics at Ithaca College helped propel me into my master's degree and made me not only more knowledgeable about the troubles plaguing our world, but also gave me the resources and skills needed to work in finding (albeit small) solutions in my daily life. I am overwhelmingly grateful for the knowledge I gained from, and the relationships I built with, the faculty in the Department of Politics at Ithaca College.