Student Profile

Steven Richards
Birmingham, Ala.
Major: Sociology
Class: 2007

Steven Richards is interested in “getting beneath the surface, taking a more in-depth look at things.” That’s part of what drew the junior from Birmingham, Alabama, to major in sociology at The College of Wooster. And it’s why he’s added a minor in philosophy, which “encourages you to think outside the box.”

After studying sociological theorists like Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber, Richards is beginning to think about how to apply theory to his own particular interests in his senior Independent Study project next year. He’s thinking about focusing on some aspect of how socio-economic status affects levels of religiosity among different ethnic groups.

Richards says his family played a key role in his decision to attend Wooster: an aunt and uncle graduated in the 1960s and a cousin, John Gibson, is currently a senior. The college also “helped a lot with financial aid.”

His cousin made sure Richards felt at home when he arrived on campus. “He introduced me to his friends, showed me around, and encouraged me to go out an meet other people,” Richards recalls.

Richards took that advice to heart. He has become a peer mentor, a hearing counselor for the judicial board, and an active member of Men of Harambee, a campus organization that strives to build an understanding of the African-American experience. He also works with children at a local after-school program called The Spot.

For Richards, Wooster has proved to be just the right size. “It’s easy to get to know where everything is, the students are really friendly, and the professors are always accessible and willing to help. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.”