The "Macalester Scotlight" is a special feature series that runs throughout each sports season and highlights individuals within the Macalester College Athletics Department who have a unique story to share.

Link to "Scotlight" video on Claire Henkel
EcoEducation Youth Advisory Board

Division III prides itself in fostering a comprehensive learning experience by providing opportunities for student-athletes to get involved in activities outside of athletics. Macalester College's emphasis on civic engagement allows students to get involved in the local community and really have that well-rounded educational experience that Division III emphasizes.

However, as a collegiate student-athlete, it is often difficult to find time to become fully engaged in other activities when so much time is dedicated to practice, competition and training, while still keeping up with rigorous academics. But for Macalester junior soccer player Claire Henkel, not being engaged in the world, outside of her athletics experience, just isn't an option.

“Being a student-athlete is a serious time commitment that I love making because I love soccer, but I also feel it's not totally fulfilling as a person by itself” said Henkel. “I have learned to recognize that there is a lot is going on beside myself and beyond the Macalester community. That's why I try to get outside and work with the community and recognize there are more important issues going on.”

The Sociology major from Lexington, Ky., found a great way to get involved last year in the local community with issues she is passionate about when she became a member of the Macalester Sustainability Office working with social justice issues. Henkel was instantly intrigued by the group when Suzanne Savanick Hansen, sustainability manager at Mac, spoke to Henkel's class about their work on campus and in the community.

“I asked [Savanick Hansen] about volunteer opportunities and internships that were available and there weren't any,” Henkel said. “Luckily, someone had quit that day and she said there was an opening for a social justice position.”

As a member of the sustainability team on campus, Henkel and other members get together to discuss sustainability issues and projects on campus and within the community. Henkel is responsible for organizing information about programs that are going on and educating the Macalester community about issues people may not be aware of.

Last year, Henkel organized a showing of the documentary, 'The Philosopher's Kings,' which follows janitorial staff members who work in higher education institutions in the U.S. She said it was a great opportunity for those in attendance to interact with and learn from members of the Macalester facilities staff.

Being aware of issues that are occurring is important to Henkel, but she is believes it is important to actually get involved an be an agent of change.

“I think its important [for college students to be engaged with sustainabilty issues] because at this stage in our lives, most people are out of their environment at home and are starting to learn about how they are impacted by the world and how they impact the world,” Henkel said. “I think it's important for college students to take it upon themselves to learn and take ownership of the lifestyle they lead. It takes small efforts from everybody to make any kind of impact.”

One of the ways Henkel has worked to create change in the greater Twin Cities community is through her involvement with EcoEducation, an organization that works with high school students to develop “appreciation, knowledge, values and skills necessary to inspire ecologically sound decisions and actions.”

As a member of EcoEducation's Youth Advisory Board, Hankel works with students write grants for sustainability projects they want to do at their schools. Henkel feels going through the process of bringing these projects to life teaches valuable lessons for their futures.

“We help kids gain the correct mindset of putting their projects into action and they are able to learn how hard it is to do that,” said Henkel. “Writing grants is good process for kids to learn to be able to create change.”

Though Henkel is only a junior, she hopes that her involvement with EcoEducation and the Sustainabilty Office on campus will help her in the future as she explores options for life after Macalester.

“I really love the work I'm doing an I find it really interesting,” Henkel said. “I have no idea where my major will take me and if I can make any connections with people now, the more the better.”

Graduation is still awhile off for Henkel, though, and she is looking forward to her next two years at Macalester and continuing to grow from her experience working with community projects and organizations, as well as her continuing to evolve from her experience as a student-athlete.

Henkel said her experience as a soccer player at Macalester has really emphasized the importance of hard work and commitment in order to find success, in all aspects of life.

“Being a student-athlete has taught me to stick by things even when there's no immediate result,” said Henkel. “The soccer team is full of really talented people and everyone works hard. It's a commitment and has taught me that when you make that commitment, you have to do your best. I don't want to look back and realize I could have done better.”