Sam Diemer, Excelling at AU, Ashland University

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Sam Diemer

ASHLAND, OH (10/04/2012)(readMedia)-- Rochester resident Samantha Diemer, who is double majoring in psychology and criminal justice along with a minor in mathematics, has fit in well with the busy student lifestyle at Ashland University.

Diemer, a junior at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, is a 2010 graduate of Greece Arcadia High School. She is the daughter of James Diemer and Sharyl Abbey.

Diemer is active in numerous campus organizations at Ashland University. She is the Vice President of Psych Club, plays Club Volleyball, is a member of the Honors Program, a member of the University Choir and Chamber Singers, as well as a member of PAW (Peers for Animal Welfare).

Diemer is very pleased with her decision to go out of state for her college education.

"I initially chose Ashland because it had both of the majors I wanted to study. I also wanted to be away from home, but not extremely far in case something were to happen that I needed to go home. When I visited, I loved the atmosphere of the campus and the small class size because it makes everything more personal. I also loved the CAB events on campus. I loved my choice in Ashland and I would have never had the same experience if I had gone somewhere else," says Diemer.

Diemer enjoys being a student at Ashland University, as well as living in Ashland, OH. "I enjoy going to AU very much. I love all of my friends here at Ashland, my classes, my professors, and the groups I am involved in on campus. Ohio is definitely a different place to be. I never expected myself to be in Ohio and it is a different feel than in New York. I enjoy being here for school, but I plan on moving after I am done with my undergrad at Ashland," says Diemer.

"Ashland is a wonderful place to be, I feel safe and loved here at Ashland, which makes it very close to a home in my heart," says Diemer.

According to Diemer there was a bit of a culture shock for her coming to Ashland.

"There are a lot of big differences, but also the subtle differences were shocking as well. I live in Rochester, N.Y., which is much different from Ashland. In fact, my town is bigger than the city of Ashland. I also didn't realize how big farming is in Ohio. I have never gone to a fair before or done anything with farming so it was interesting to see all of these things. I had seen Amish before so that wasn't as big of a shock. I think what was most shocking about the Amish was seeing them shop at Wal-Mart. Talking with people from Ohio, one of the subtle differences that shocked me was just simply taking the ACT. In New York, we emphasized taking the SAT which most people here never took. I never took the ACT so it is just strange all of the small differences just a few states over can make. I also never realized the sports fanatics in Ohio."

Academically, Diemer is a strong student currently holding an overall grade point average of 3.976. She loves the small class sizes at Ashland because of the strong professor and student connection.

"I have helped with research with my psychology professors which I'm not sure I would've been able to do at a bigger school, and I love the professors in my major. They are so willing to help any student in need," says Diemer.

Ray will graduate in May of 2014 and is now putting together her plans for the future.

"After graduation, I plan to go to graduate school for Forensic Psychology. I am currently looking at schools in Maryland and Virginia," says Diemer.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students. ###