Student Profile: Jessica Drefke
Jessica Drefke’s instinct is what led her to the American Studies minor — in fact, it’s what brought her to Alma.
“I was at a college fair, and the Alma representative was sitting alone,” the Tecumseh senior says. “I went over to talk to her for a couple minutes while waiting for the line to shrink at another table. And then I stayed until the end of the evening.”
Drefke was drawn to American Studies because of an interest in American legends and folklore and the enthusiasm of program chair Dr. Laura von Wallmenich.
“If it wasn’t for this discipline I would not be doing an independent study involving dime novels, Star Wars and Indiana Jones. ”
“If it wasn’t for this discipline I would not be doing an independent study involving dime novels, Star Wars and Indiana Jones,” she says.
“I am taking a look at the American action hero myth using the template dime novels provide. I also went on the Chicago spring term last year and tried to examine the significance of the Ferris wheel in our culture.”
The English major hopes to write the next Great American Novel. But after college she plans to volunteer for a couple of years before possibly pursuing museum work.
Her activities include Alpha Gamma Delta, the Kiltie Band and the concert band, in addition to working in the theatre costume shop.
