What Great Minds Can Do: Jonathan Thow
"Everywhere I go, I meet Seton Hall nursing alumni in hospitals and clinics. People know our reputation. And the University is very caring; I’ve had small classes and inspiring professors who have helped me gain a better sense of myself."
Jonathan Thow pursues his passions for nursing and debate at Seton Hall. "I am so lucky the faculty members have been flexible. They allowed me to change my schedule and arrange my clinical placements so I could compete at tournaments throughout the country on the Brownson Speech and Debate team. It's one of the things I love about Seton Hall; people know and care about me and will work with me to support my goals and interests. Thanks to that support, I got to do everything I wanted."
As a member of Seton Hall's nationally ranked speech and debate team, Jonathan has given hundreds of speeches. He has won many championships, including the national Interstate Oratorical Association competition, and had one of his speeches published. "I was involved in speech and debate in high school and it was very important for me to continue with it. At Seton Hall I have been able to use the platform to advocate for social justice projects and represent marginalized or suppressed voices. Seton Hall taught me to value my voice and my opinion and to use speech as my platform."
Jonathan loves Seton Hall's nursing program, especially the supportive, expert faculty. His favorite clinical rotation, in maternity at RWJBarnabas Health, allowed him to observe labors and deliveries and work in the neonatal intensive care unit. This experience gave him a focus for his nursing career. "I love the clinical experiences Seton Hall provides, not only because I get to practice my skills in a real setting but also because I get to think like a nurse and assess patients in a hospital."
"Everywhere I go, I meet Seton Hall nursing alumni in hospitals and clinics. People know our reputation. And the University is very caring; I've had small classes and inspiring professors who have helped me gain a better sense of myself. They've helped me become a more caring, open-minded, loving person. Seton Hall has definitely taught me empathy and kindness and to keep my heart open. I think this will make me a stronger nurse."
Jonathan lived on campus when he first arrived at Seton Hall, but as an upper-class student, he decided to move into an apartment in town. "Campus is a tight-knit place, but I love living in town. I feel like I am a part of campus and part of the South Orange community too. South Orange is also a great location for being able to go into New York City with my friends to parks or shows or coffee shops."
Seton Hall Career Highlights
- Co-captain, Brownson Speech and Debate Team
- Member, Student Nurses Association
- Participant, Service on Saturdays volunteer days
- Assistant nurse at a summer camp
- Spearheaded a drive to send Christmas cards to an incarcerated rape victim