By Rethy Armes ('26)
Each year the number of enrolled students has increased here at Houghton University. Houghton is founded on Wesleyan Christian values and currently exists as the most affordable private Christian university which draws students in.
Three freshmen were asked about their decision to attend Houghton and how their first week went.
Ethan Obergfell, a freshman who lives in the area, said, “the strong Christian student body and the fantastic people” drew him in. He heard about it through friends and family members who also went to Houghton.
Obergfell said that before he came to Houghton, he attended a school with a graduating class of 81 students. Although the class size is comparable, he stated it “feels much larger because everyone is more spread out.”
He remarked the first week has gone well and he is looking forward to his freshman baseball season.
Obergfell chose Houghton because he liked “the baseball culture they were creating and” wanted to be a part of it. He plans to “major in business and sports recreation so later in life [he] can become an athletic director.”
After his first week, Obergfell said he enjoyed the first baseball practice and watching another student give haircuts.
Johnathan Nelson is a freshman from Pittsburgh, PA on track to study Exercise Science. He is on the men’s soccer team and part of the Science Honors program.
Nelson chose to attend Houghton for a few reasons. He said, “[he] wanted to play soccer in college [and] wanted to get a quality education, which Houghton offers.” He also chose to attend “Houghton because of their unique campus.”
The university’s campus is roughly 1,300 acres and is beautiful year-round. Nelson said one of the perks of living here is that, “Houghton has a large campus, everything is walkable. This means that you don’t need a car to get to places and can enjoy everything on campus.”
Kisheri Ehabe is a freshman who heard about Houghton through a teacher. The teacher said this was “a school with a TCK [third-culture-kid] friendly environment.”
Ehabe is from Cameroon in Central Africa and is unsure when she will be able to return because of flight costs. She thought she would “do better in a Christ-centered community.”
Ehabe is planning to study Global studies and Communications. At Houghton, she said she would have the opportunity “to be in a good environment at an affordable price” and be able “to go to London for the honors trip.”
As part of the Honors program that Houghton offers to freshmen during the spring semester, Ehabe will be going to London and is “looking forward to visiting the cities and going to shows and events.”
These three freshmen came to Houghton for similar reasons, and their faith played a part in it. They are looking forward to the rest of their semester and are excited about what it will bring. ★
