Chris Kerr ’07 thinks of the people at St. Lawrence as a family.  “When I began looking at colleges, I was attracted to the very inviting atmosphere I felt when I walked on campus,” he says. “The people were friendly and welcoming.  There was a strong sense of loyalty among everyone.” 

Chris, from Manlius, N.Y., decided to attend St. Lawrence for the community-like feeling he got when he visited, but also because it would allow him to pursue his other interests, like pitching for the baseball team.  “I love playing on this team because of the support and camaraderie it brings to my life,” says the Fayetteville-Manlius High School graduate.  “I have such close relationships with my teammates.  These are people who will always be important to me.”

After working with Chris during his first year, Director of Community-Based Learning Ron Flores encouraged him to become a community mentor for the First-Year Program.  “I wanted to become part of something bigger than myself, and felt I could do that by being a mentor to first-year students,” Chris says.  “I enjoy being around like-minded, good-hearted individuals who want the best for people.  Through my work as community mentor, I’ve learned how to become more empathetic to the needs of others, because there are many people counting on you for help.”  Chris has been a community mentor since his sophomore year has twice been named Writing Mentor of Year for his work in the First-Year Program. 

When he’s not busy working with his First-Year Program or pitching for the team, Chris, an economics major, works with NYSARC, the New York State Association for Retarded Citizens, which he got involved with through his baseball coach, Tom Fay.  “I have worked with special needs individuals before,” he says.  “I find it very rewarding.  I like knowing that I’m making a lifelong impact on these people’s lives by teaching them life skills like independence, teamwork and responsibility.”