Leon Krusemark ’29
Hometown: Oskaloosa, IA
Major: English
Meet Leon Krusemark, a sophomore English major who took four years off after graduating high school before coming to college; proof that it’s never too late to start the next level of Education.
Leon shared that he didn’t go to college right away after high school partially because he didn’t believe that he had the ability to get in anywhere, despite already being in good academic standing. However, four years later, an important person in his life encouraged him to give school a try, and reluctantly, he listened. About a week before the spring semester started, Leon had officially been accepted to the university. He noted that it was a seamless transition, with help from both administration and advisors.
Taking a few years off of school was exactly the momentum he needed to get the ball rolling with the love and excitement he now has for college. Leon explained that as a younger individual he was very shy, did not talk a lot in class, and certainly did not have much enthusiasm for school. However, those years were an opportunity for him to emerge from his chrysalis as a butterfly. Now, he is outgoing, highly involved on campus, and always willing to share personal insights and perspectives in the classroom. He believes that in that time he was able to experience a beautiful metamorphosis and become more confident in his identity, morals, and beliefs. Additionally, he was able to get a completely fresh perspective on the things. From 18 to 22, a lot was learned, and in Leon’s experience, that was just the thing he needed to truly be able to succeed in college.
Living off campus can often make people feel alone and discluded, which is why William Penn offers a multitude of extracurricular opportunities for students to take part in. During his time at the university, Leon has been involved in theater productions, the poetry slam, an internship with Javin Sword, and tutoring in the student success center. He is also currently a teachers assistant for Dr. Sam Allen, where he does research for both Dr. Allen and Dr. Wright. Tutoring and being a teachers assistant not only helps him engage with students and professors, but also supports his future aspirations of one day becoming a professor.
Due to his high involvement in so many activities and extracurriculars, Leon spends a lot of time on campus. The poetry slam served as a pivotal moment of connection for him. His poem,“The Rat in the Sewer Grate” is what gave him an overwhelming feeling of inclusion. Leon stated, “I had so many people coming up to me afterwards telling me how amazing it was, and people talked about it for weeks. It was one of the first things I had done the first semester I had ever been here, and it left a giant impact on me and everyone else.”
As an English major, Leon is on track to graduate in May 2029. His journey to college is a reminder that it is never too late to start the next level of education. There is always a place for newcomers at William Penn University. Being deeply immersed in the campus activities has made Leon feel a closer connection to peers, professors, and the campus community, and those are the things he will always remember about his time here.