Zack Horve
Graduation year: 2024
High school: Deer Creek Mackinaw High School
Hometown: Mackinaw, Ill.
Major: Environmental studies
Minors: Biology; GIST (Geographic Information and Science Technology)
Campus activities: Young Democratic Socialists of America, Delta Omega Nu fraternity
Internship: Augustana's Upper Mississippi Center (UMC) in 2022 and 2023
Post-grad plans: Pursue a master's in forestry and natural resources
Why Augustana?
I came here to play baseball, but I quit after my first year. I stayed because I had good friendships and valued the close relationships I was building with the faculty in my department.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
Not at all!
Who helped you get to where you are now?
Dr. Reisner and Dr. Jenny Arkle were hugely influential in driving me to follow my curiosity and blend my interests in the natural world with the remote sensing tools I was learning how to use as part of the GIST curriculum.
Additionally, Dr. McCall has helped me a lot to be more ambitious with my professional goals and has provided me so much guidance in learning how to do research.
Peak experience?
Definitely my trip to Louisiana during 2023 J-term! It was so cool to learn about the region and apply some of the environmental justice concepts I had learned about in class.
What surprised you?
I was surprised about how tightly knit the entire campus is. I was expecting to be lost in the crowd, but there are so many familiar faces when I walk around campus.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
Subsidized my 2022 UMC internship.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my friends in the DONs and fall colors on campus.
Advice for the Class of 2028?
Don’t try to do to much. There are a lot of activities available on campus, which is great, but it can be very easy to get overextended and burn out.
"Zack has played a pivotal research role in several community-based research projects."