The following article was published in September of 1998. 

Take a fresh-faced, bright-eyed, recent graduate, add a passion for politics and law, proficiency in the German language, an acceptance to Cornell University's competitive law program, and aspirations to manage international business transactions, and you get Alison McCormack, one of Southwestern's fast-track young alumnae.

Only two months ago, McCormack graduated, as part of the largest graduating class in Southwestern's history, with a B.A. in international studies and German. While her former classmates scattered across the state and nation, McCormack has remained on Southwestern's campus to help develop German language software for the University's Language Learning Center. This fall, though, she intends to move cross-country to either Ithaca, N.Y., to enroll at Cornell, or to Yale University, where she remains on its law school waiting list. McCormack feels well-prepared for either destination.

It was 1993, at age 16, during the final leg of her high school career, when a Rotary Scholarship took her to Hanover, Germany, to study the language and culture of a country that had long intrigued her.

"My grandfather had been part of U.S. Army Intelligence during World War II. When I was little, he'd teach me German numbers after church. By the time I reached high school, I was completely infatuated with anything German. I decided I needed to get out of Waxahachie and go to Germany."

In Hanover, McCormack lived with three native host families and became acquainted with German life. Interested in further exploring the German culture, she promised herself that, one day, she would return.

When McCormack returned to the States, she made final preparation for beginning her college career by looking for a small school that would offer her a high amount of personalized attention.

"After considering several small universities in Texas, I decided I liked Southwestern the best," she says. "It seemed to have an abundant amount of resources considering the size of the student body, the people were friendly and I thought the campus was pretty. I felt like Southwestern's liberal arts approach was pretty close to my idea of an 'ideal' education--that is, one that is well-rounded and fosters proficiency in many disciplines. Plus, I liked its proximity to Austin."

As a first-year student, she took a few political science classes and launched immediately into upper-level German studies. By her second year, she had eased into Southwestern's International Studies program, which "is like liberal arts within liberal arts," according to McCormack. "The program allowed me to take a lot of German as well as European-oriented courses in political science, literature and history."

She considered this multi-faceted program solid preparation for a career in law.

"I had law school in the back of my mind since my exchange in Hanover. Eberhard, my host father in Germany, was a lawyer and got me interested in studying law." Last Spring, she decided to get a head start.

In March 1997, McCormack enrolled in Southwestern's exchange program with Universitat Osnabrück in Osnabrück, located in northwestern Germany in the state of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony).

McCormack found Osnabrück to be an ideal location for a study abroad program in many ways: it is not too large or too small; it is easy to get to know, and students feel at home there quickly. The university campus is integrated into the town, and public transportation is readily available.

At Universitat Osnabrück, McCormack took several law courses in the German language and, later, came to a dramatic conclusion. Not only did she want to practice law, but she wanted to practice law in Germany, which is now practically a second home to her. Although uncertain what her exact specialization will be, she is interested in international business transactions.

"The semester I spent in Osnabrück was a time for me to explore personal areas and social aspects of myself," she says. "I made a lot of life-long friends, and I had a wonderful time! It was definitely time well-spent."

Her impressions of German life?

"German culture moves at a somewhat slower pace. People actually take the time to enjoy simple things. The Germans aren't half as reserved and serious as people think. In fact, the students, at least, do a lot more socializing than we do. In general, the Germans are really helpful, genuine people, and I love their food!"

McCormack adds, "I have many fond memories of my years at Southwestern. I'll miss the omelets at Sunday Brunch, taking walks around campus with my friends, and tutoring German students in the Language Learning Center."

She says she will most miss the friends she made at Southwestern, including two special faculty members who mentored her along the way--Dr. William Jones, professor of history and now interim provost and dean of the faculty, and her advisor, Dr. Joseph Molitorisz, professor of German and chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

"I will miss being able to run to Dr. Molitorisz or Dr. Jones for advice all the time!"

Others in the McCormack family seem fond of Southwestern as well. Alison's middle sister, Callie, attends Southwestern, as does her cousin, Matt. Her youngest sister, Kate--about to start her senior year in high school--is considering Southwestern too.

"Southwestern has opened many doors for me. I'm really going to miss this place."

Alison completed her J.D. at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, N.Y. She now works in the corporate/securities department of Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C., the largest law firm in Dallas.