Tour Guides
Meet our group of Highlander Hosts! These are students from across the country who are involved on campus and conduct our tours. They represent a variety of majors and are involved with campus clubs and organizations. Read our student blogs and see what a day in the life of a Western student is really like!
Jordan Cooper
Sophomore
Major: English and History
Hometown: Summit County, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Jordan runs for the cross country and track teams at Western, is a student government Senator, Academic Peer Advisor, she tutors History 102, works at the Writing Center, is involved with the Honors Program and is in the ALPS 2nd year group - Denali.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: I love to run, ski and mountain bike.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Mostly punk
"I came to Western because it had everything for me. At WSC I can run, play in the band, ski and participate in the Honors Program."
Ed Klaus
Senior
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Guilford, CT
Areas of campus involvement: Ed is the Co-President of the National Championship Mountain Bike team.
Favorite thing to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Mountain biking at Hartman Rocks.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Kanye West.
Gabby Michna
Sophomore
Major: Business
Hometown: Magnolia, TX
Areas of campus involvement: Gabby plays intramural sports, likes going to the fitness center, swimming and wants to learn how to rock climb.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Biking, riding, skiing, hiking, cliff jumping, ice skating, painting, and photography.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Kelly Rowland- "Like that"
"Whether it be waking up to a winter wonderland every morning or laying on the beautiful grass outside Taylor Hall embracing the sun and fantastic scenery, I thoroughly look forward to waking up every morning to a new adventure that this amazing town and school has to offer me."
Jill Hall
Sophomore
Major: Art- Graphic Design Emphasis
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Jill is a member of Campus Crusade for Christ and is very involved with the art department.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Jill has been running since 7th grade - she doesn't compete for WSC, but runs on her own. She also loves working with younger kids, hanging out by the river with her friends, cliff jumping, and skiing.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Matt Werte, Michael Buble.
"It's the weekend before finals and we could not be blessed with better weather to study in. I have a backpack full of books, a blanket and some music - sitting by the river studying and enjoying this wonderful area."
Robert Eichel
Junior
Major: Managerial Business
Hometown: Broomfield, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Robert plays on Western's Hockey team, is in the orchestra and the string ensemble.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Snowboarding, mountain biking, 4-wheeling.
What is playing on your iPod right now: DIO- Holy Diver
"Every day is a good day when you live in the mountains."
Chava Contreras
Junior
Major: Art- Graphic Design Emphasis
Hometown: Gunnison, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Chava is the president of the Amigos club, is a member of the Native American Student Council and Black Student Alliance. His goal is to become the President of the Student Government Association and he plans on running for a Senate position this year.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Iceblocking, sledding, snowboarding, ice skating, basketball, fishing, and camping.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Daddy Yankee, T-Pain, R. Kelly, Usher, Chris Brown, Bow Wow.
"At Western, I have been able to become a role model for other students with my work at the Multicultural Center."
Leah Cozad
Junior
Major: Psychology and Business
Hometown: Longmont, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Leah is the President of Psi Chi, the Psychology Honor Society, and she plays on the Women's Rugby Team.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Snowboarding, biking, paintball, going out to dinner with friends.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Taking Back Sunday, Nelly Furtado, Blue October
Jess Pino
Sophomore
Major: Psychology and Business
Hometown: Wellington, CO
Areas of campus involvement: You can find Jess at the bookstore where he works most days.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Snowboarding, hanging out with friends, playing soccer and Frisbee and going to Blue Mesa Reservoir.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Anti-flag, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, AC/DC.
"I have had great experiences here and I really feel that others can too."
Stephanie Ruybal
Senior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: La Jara, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Stephanie is the Secretary for Amigos, a member of the Black Student Alliance and is a TIPS alcohol awareness trainer.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Going to club sponsored events on campus, especially the dances, and hanging out with friends.
"The best part of my experience at Western has been being involved with clubs and school activities - it has really helped me to feel like I fit in."
Jeremiah Giambartolomei
Junior
Major: Math Education
Hometown: Evergreen, CO
Areas of Campus Involvement: Jeremiah is on the Track and Field team, is a Cheerleader for WSC, works at Packers and can usually be found in the gym weight training or working out.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Training, snowboarding, and mountain biking.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Pink Floyd's Wish you were here.
"The professors here are amazing. Dr. Keck (mathematics) really helped me figure out what I wanted to focus on."
Michelle Newman
Senior
Major: English Education
Hometown: Louisville, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Michelle is a teacher's assistant in the English Department, is on the Tobacco Task Force, and she was a Resident Advisor this summer.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Hiking, skiing/snowboarding, fish taco nights at the Brewery, karaoke and just enjoying the Valley.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Nick Drake, The Starting Line, A Fine Frenzy, Brandi Carlisle, KT Tunstill
"Stay for the summers if you can - they are amazing!"
Garrison Garcia
Junior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Gunnison, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Garrison is Co-President of the National Championship Mountain Bike Team, is an Academic Leadership Scholarship recipient, involved with Psi Chi (psychology club), and plays intramural sports.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Mountain biking and telemark skiing.
Karen Ast
Junior
Major: Business and English
Hometown: Monte Vista, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Karen is the Vice President of Amigos, involved with Black Student Alliance, is an Academic Leadership Scholarship recipient, is in Sigma Tau Delta (English honors society) and writes for the Top O' the World student newspaper.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Snowboarding, going dancing, spending time with friends.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Daddy Yankee, 50 Cent, Usher, Chris Brown
Lindsey James
Senior
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Lindsey is Secretary of Student Government, member of the Tobacco Task Force, lifeguards at the pool, and this summer she coached the club swim team.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Going to taco Tuesday at the brewery, spending time with friends.
What is playing on your iPod right now: A workout mix to get me motivated
Trish DeLong
Sophomore
Major: Undecided/Philosophy Minor
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Trish is a Residential Advisor in Crystal Hall, is involved with Christian Challenge, is an Academic Leadership Scholarship recipient and last year she served on the Ute Hall Council.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Going camping, tubing, playing Frisbee, iceblocking, snowboarding, and hanging out with friends.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Taylor Swift, a mix of country, 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, Linkin Park.
"I actually chose to come here before I visited and when I came for orientation I knew I had made a great choice because everyone was so welcoming."
Michelle Young
Sophomore
Major: History/Teacher Education
Hometown: Woodland Park, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Michelle plays club soccer, intramural volleyball, works in the History department, is an Academic Leadership Scholarship recipient and is involved with Campus Crusade and FCA.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Playing soccer, hiking, rafting, snow shoeing, and cliff jumping at Blue Mesa.
What is playing on your iPod right now: Dispatch, Dashboard Confessional, Frank Sinatra.
"There is just so much to do and there are so many friends to make whether with students, faculty or members of the community."
Melanie Sheets
Senior
Major: Music and Psychology
Hometown: Denver, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Melanie is an orientation leader in the summer, a member of MENC which is a music educators club that supports music and education. She just learned how to ice climb too!
Favorite thing to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Loves anything to do with music, being around people, and her new favorite sport- ice climbing!
"I have really tried to broaden my horizons at Western. I tried ice climbing this year and that really boosted my self confidence."
Luke Chambers
Senior
Major: Psychology, Business & Sociology
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Luke has worked with Residence Life as a Resident Advisor. He was also a Leader and then Coordinator for WSC's Orientation. He helped with Katrina Relief during Spring Break of 2007.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Floating on the river, hockey, snowboarding, hiking, and sledding.
"After I visited the campus I fell in love with the area and had to come here."
Jillian Tansley
Sophomore
Major: History
Hometown: Parker, CO
Areas of campus involvement: Jillian is a transfer student at Western and loves to read, write, and watch movies. She is really into theatre, both acting and the behind-the-scenes activities.
Favrorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Crusing around town on her bike, and playing with her ferret.
"The campus is beautiful. Even though it's cold sometimes, I still love it here. The people are awesome and the professors are very nice."
Evan Bulla
Senior
Major: Wildlife Biology
Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Areas of campus involvement: He plays Club Soccer, is a member of Tri Beta, and is a CDOW volunteer.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and playing with his dog.
"I chose Western because the classes are small and there are opportunities for undergraduate research in the outstanding Biology program. Profs are easy to talk to and the surrounding area is just out of this world!"