October 05, 2011
It’s not often that one meets someone as adventurous, fearless and
self-confident as Babette Roth ‘11C, ’12G, who — among other things
— has biked solo for 59 days from New York to San Francisco,
nursed cholera patients in Haiti, assisted veterinarians in New
York and helped renovate Katrina-ravaged homes in New Orleans.
Simultaneously, she also earned her Bachelor of Arts
degree with honors from St.
John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and began the
Master Degree Program in English.
“Babette is one of the most courageous, caring and smart people
I have ever met,” said
Zachary Davis. Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Philosophy. “She
has the rare quality of not just being interested in important
issues like social justice, but of acting on these interests as
well. Whatever she decides to do in the future, I am sure she will
help better the world.”
Photo Gallery
St. John’s Vincentian
concern for the marginalized and needy — along with its emphasis on
human dignity and social equality — has provided the perfect
environment for Babette to continue to explore social
justice-related issues.
The high quality of the faculty helped spark the Swiss-born
student’s interest in coming to St. John’s. In addition, she was
awarded a full-tuition, four-year
Presidential Scholarship and was admitted into the Honors Program.
“What has put this educational experience over the top for me,” she
said, “is the extraordinary personal attention faculty members give
students here.”
In fact, Babette has established meaningful relationships with
almost all of her professors. “They have taken a very
personal interest in me,” she said, “offering their support and
guidance both inside and outside the classroom.”
She has also been very impressed by her professors’ competence
and devotion to teaching. For example, she found her literary
theory classes with
Elda Tsou, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English,
transformative. “I have learned so much from her — particularly
from her views on how rhetoric influences our perceptions of truth
and knowledge. She has opened up a whole new world of thought for
me.”
In turn, Babette has had a strong impact on her teachers.
“I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet and work with
Babette,” said
Carmen Kynard, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English. “She is
nothing short of brilliant. Babette always speaks her mind
and writes with flare. She pushes us all to think better and do
better.”
Babette was able to put her outstanding writing skills to good
use as a tutor with the Institute for
Writing Studies. “I helped students improve their writing,” she
said, “but I was determined not to impose my own writing
style. My aim was to help them express themselves more clearly and
with more polish but in their own voices.” The three years she
spent doing this were exhilarating, she said. “This is the kind of
thing that makes my mind smoke.”
In keeping with her philosophy of getting the most out of every
experience, Babette has also taken advantage of other opportunities
at St. John’s, including participating in the
Debate Society and taking boxing
lessons.
She has also been able to explore New York City. Thanks to the
Honors Program, she received free tickets to plays, concerts,
operas and dance performances and to also take part in the
eye-opening walking tours led by Robert Forman,
Ph.D., Professor of English and Classics and Director of the Honors
Program.
“New York is fascinating and exciting,” she said. “I love the
fact that people come from so many different backgrounds.” Even
though she grew up in a rural area, Babette is most
comfortable in a multicultural city. She also appreciates the
diversity of St. John’s student population. “I always try to
expose myself to new worldviews,” she said. “One of my goals is to
try to be open to other ways of seeing the world without imposing
my own judgments.”
She started developing this perspective in high school when she
spent a year in South Africa as an exchange student. While the
experience was challenging, Babette got a lot out of it. “I started
to question my opinions about politics and ethics.” She also became
more flexible, adaptable and tolerant. All of these qualities have
helped her adjust to her new environment here.
“I am grateful that I was able to come to St. John’s and be able
to enjoy such a multidimensional, academic and life-altering
experience.”