Class of 2009
Seth Olson
Seth Olson '09 serves as the Honor Board Chairperson for the SGA. He is a member of the varsity sailing team, has participated in the International Studies Council and the Model UN, and recently studied abroad in Australia.
Enjoying an Extracurricular Education
For Seth Olson, life at Washington College has been one great adventure. Rock climbing? Check. Sailing in regattas up and down the East Coast? Check. Study abroad? Yep, he's done that, too.
Majoring in political science and economics, Seth spent a semester at Monash University in Australia, where he took courses in Australian politics and history. Not only did he travel around the continent, he also took to the sea. A member of the varsity sailing team at WC, Seth became involved with the Royal Victoria Yachting Club in Australia.
"I was able to get on a racing sailboat down there as a crewmember," he said. "I did that almost every weekend. We won one regatta and finishing among the top ten in others," he said.
For Seth, a Connecticut native who grew up sailing, it was important to find a college on the water.
"The sailing team was the first thing that put Washington on my radar," he said. Since he's been at WC, Seth has taken advantage of some of the other opportunities the school offers.
"Students have a large influence on what happens on-campus," said Seth, who helped found the Wilderness Adventure Club. In addition to sponsoring fun, community-building activities like rock-climbing and paintball tournaments, the organization was instrumental in establishing a course in outdoor leadership.
An Eagle Scout who dreams of sailing around the world someday, Seth said Washington College has given him the skills necessary for success.
"The school helped me sharpen my writing abilities, which will be an incredibly useful tool no matter which career path I go down. My college experience has also encouraged me to take on a lot of responsibility and independence, which has helped build my self-confidence," he said.
Campus Event Appearances
Look for Seth in these event photos.