Alumni Stories: Betty P. Guttag Whitewolff '00

When I was faced with choosing a major, I froze. What was the use in specializing? Wouldn't I need a graduate degree to pursue a chosen professional path? Wouldn't I specialize then? I wanted a broad knowledge base, not to become an expert by the age of 21. Yet, I had to choose a major. Choosing to study religion gave me exactly what I wanted. The study of comparative religion is the study of history, from ancient civilizations to current events. It is the study of literature and art. It is the study of language and geography. It is the study of psychology and sociology. The study of religion is the study of the human experience. Furthermore, studying religion has allowed me to speak out, with informed confidence, against bigotry and prejudice, in addition to enriching my own personal, spiritual life. Choosing religion as my major was one of my first adult decisions and one of my best.