20 Reasons to Love Carthage
1. Our Liberal Arts Foundation
Well-rounded. Resourceful. Insightful. Prepared. A Carthage education goes beyond career preparation to empower you to deal with complexity and communication. Just ask Anna Polietaiva ’27, a biology and chemistry double major. “As a liberal arts school, Carthage highlights exploring different disciplines and connecting them,” she says.
2. Small Classes
With an average class size of 16, you will get all the personal attention you need. “The small class sizes are something I really like because it allows me to form close relationships with classmates and professors,” says Meg Schultz ’27, an elementary education major.
Read more about our small class sizes
3. Devoted Faculty
Dedicated professors are key to student success, offering guidance, mentorship, and inspiration in and out of the classroom. “The Carthage faculty have played an instrumental role in shaping both my academic journey and personal growth. Their expertise, guidance, and unwavering support have been invaluable. The relationships I’ve built with faculty members have opened doors to research opportunities, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of my chosen fields,” explains neuroscience and psychology major Summer Zilisch ’26. “These connections have not only expanded my knowledge, but also provided me with a network of mentors who genuinely care about my success.”
4. Top Facilities
Things look new at Carthage because they are. The athletic center, library, student union, and many residence halls have all been constructed or renovated in the last 12 years. A new science center opened in 2015, the new Tower Residence Hall opened in fall 2018, and the new Engineering Center opened in fall 2023. “My favorite spot is in The Tower Residence Hall,” says Line Wisely ’26, an allied health science and Spanish double major. “You can watch the sporting events on the field from the seventh-floor lounge. When it’s nice out, I like to hang out behind The Tower or people-watch while I do homework in the lobby.”
5. January Term
During January, students have the opportunity to take a month-long course either on campus or abroad. They can explore a new subject or gain further experience in their area of study. “I had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France,” says biology and secondary education major Madison Felgenhauer ’26. “I had such a wonderful time exploring the history of Paris — particularly its significant connection to the French Revolution. Admiring iconic Parisian landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, was my favorite part!”
Learn more about J-Term at Carthage
6. Focus on Real Learning
Genuine learning in college is essential because it builds critical thinking, practical skills, and lasting knowledge that prepare students for meaningful careers and lifelong growth. “Carthage faculty and staff have helped me feel welcome on campus, and they engage in a hands-on and personal way with my learning. The relationships I have with faculty bring me joy and add additional motivation to attend classes and ask questions,” explains Lin Sensenbrenner ’26, a neuroscience and psychology major. “Additionally, the faculty help me discover and explore my interests. My lab professors have helped me engage in personal research and so much more.”
7. Research Opportunities
Carthage places a major emphasis on undergraduate research, scholarship, and creativity. Early and often, students are challenged to perform original research under the close guidance of experienced faculty. Among them is Josh Maraldo ’26, a geoscience major, who shares about his research: “My project aims to track the lake-ice phenology in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago (NZA) in the Russian high Arctic. By the end of our research, we are hoping to find some patterns in the ice melt trends that have been speeding up due to climate change.”
Learn more about research at Carthage
8. You Might Go Weightless!
Carthage has one of the most successful Microgravity Teams in the country. Students design, build, and fly the experiments on commercial parabolic and suborbital flights. “I spent the entire summer designing and developing my very own fluid dynamics for the Carthage microgravity research project,” says engineering major Justin Wheeler ’25. “It was an incredible undertaking, and after gaining the skills over the summer, I was promoted to team lead of this project, which will be sent up on a Blue Origin New Shepherd payload into space.”
Learn about Carthage’s space sciences program
9. Intellectual Foundations
In the core course Intellectual Foundations, students develop critical reading, writing, cultural literacy, and oral communication skills. “My favorite class at Carthage so far would have to be Intellectual Foundations,” says Joseph Fudali ’26, a computer science major with a concentration in game development. “Professor Marla Polley was always a ball of joy and gave a clear view of how enthusiastic she was to teach us. In the class, I also made many new friends, who became some of the best people I know. Work-wise, the homework was thought-provoking and interesting.”
Learn more about Intellectual Foundations
10. 130+ Student Organizations
With more than 130 student clubs, you will need one really big excuse not to get involved. “My involvement in various clubs and organizations has enriched my time at Carthage,” says Chinese and social work major Emily Van Dixhorn ’26. “One club I am involved in is the Carthage Book Club. I have always loved reading, and Book Club gives me a community of people to talk to about what I am reading. It also pushes me to read for fun, which is nice because it can be hard to find time to do that with classes and homework.”
Explore Carthage’s student organizations
11. CAB
The Carthage Activities Board hosts events weekly for students by students, whether it is a comedian, hypnotist, a concert, or a bingo night. “Every bingo is filled with fun, extravagant prizes, and excitement. But I think what I like the most about it is that I get to be the caller; I love hyping up the crowd, making jokes, and seeing the pure happiness in the winner’s eyes when they confirm their bingo cards.” says Azariah Oates ’27, a graphic design major.
12. Be a Student and an Athlete
About 30 percent of Carthage students discover the benefits of competing on our 28 NCAA Division III teams. Here, it’s possible to continue playing the sport you love and get a first-rate education. “The student-athlete community is one of the best things about Carthage. I speak so highly of the community that has been built here because everyone supports each other, and it shouldn’t be any other way. The mix between being a student and an athlete is ideal and should be a model for other DIII schools,” says Peyton Olinski ’27, a psychology major.
13. Intellectual Cross-Training
Don’t give up anything you love learning about. We have students who major in chemistry and theatre, or earn a dance minor with their education major. “Carthage is a college that provided me with a great education in multiple areas of study,” says engineering and musical theatre major Trevor Milne ’26. “While most other schools are known for either their music or STEM programs, Carthage has great programs for both.”
14. Summer School!
Carthage takes summer school to a whole new level. The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) pairs selected students with faculty for full-time summer research. 10 weeks. One-on-one mentoring. Countless doors opened. “Over the summer, I participated in the SURE program to research growth in eurypterids (ancient sea scorpions). I was able to recover a growth series for Eurypterus remipes to show how the animals changed over the course of their lives. I’ll end up continuing the project for my independent study and likely my senior thesis as well,” explains Maverick Leer ’26, a biology major with a focus on paleontology.
Learn more about the SURE program
15. Big Names. Big Stage.
Carthage theatre students work with world-renowned writers like Keith Huff from “Mad Men” and “House of Cards.” They don’t just come to campus for a lecture; sometimes, they spend months working closely with our students on a brand new play. “So far, I’ve been able to do a few master classes for musical theatre. The most recent one was with Angelique Ilo, who was in ‘A Chorus Line’ on Broadway for 11 years. Getting that opportunity was really awesome, and I loved being able to experience that so early in my college career,” says musical theatre major Emma Faucault-Miller ’27.
Explore Carthage’s visual and performing arts
16. Annual Events Like the Christmas Festival
Carthage hosts annual events for the entire community to enjoy. The Carthage Christmas Festival was first conceived in 1874 as a holiday band concert and evolved in 1974 to the festival form we know and love today. Nearly 50 years later, the festival is now one of the largest and most beloved events on campus, bringing together over 3,500 people throughout the festival weekend. “One of my favorite moments is the Christmas Festival,” says Professor Edward Kawakami. “The music, the people, the incredible sense of community and camaraderie. It is the best event of the year, no doubt, year after year!”
17. The Senior Thesis
Carthage is one of the few colleges in the country to require its seniors to complete a thesis. There’s no answer key for this one. No one telling you what chapters to study. This is your chance to build, perform, and explore a topic of your choice. “When I took my thesis class, I conducted research in the pool about how much of an effect technical suits have on swimming during the off-season, which is something I never thought I’d have the opportunity to test. Working with my team, as well as learning more about my sport and the science behind it, is very amazing and something I won’t forget!” explains Sydney Logan ’25, an exercise and sport science major.
18. The Aspire Program
The Aspire Program at Carthage is a multifaceted four-year career development sequence designed exclusively for Carthage students. Identify your interests and purpose and connect the dots to potential careers. The program prepares you for a meaningful life no matter what the future holds. “The program helps me to prepare for my career by framing it as a journey. The lectures introduce various tools and strategies to help start a career and build up from there, such as through interviews, elevator pitches, social media, portfolios, personal brand-building, and resiliency,” explains computer science major Arthur Pisanko ’26.
Learn more about the Aspire Program
19. Our Location
The views? Breathtaking. But our campus isn’t just beautiful. It’s also ideally located between two major cities, providing you with big opportunities. “I chose Carthage because of its location. I really liked Carthage’s proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago,” says Blake Drinka ’27, a chemistry major.
20. The Lake
One of the best features of our campus is the view! “No matter what season it is, the campus with a lakeside view is always beautiful,” explains Jana Paulsen ’26, a music education major.