Donor Impact
Denin Koch
Denin Koch
Graduation year: 2018
Major: Music – Jazz Performance
Hometown: Richland, Wash.
Truth be told, before I visited campus, Whitworth was originally my backup plan. Being less than three hours from home and a small school, Whitworth seemed like a place that wouldn't nourish me as a person, scholar or musician; I thought that I would outgrow Whitworth before I got my degree. That all changed when I spent a weekend here for the freshmen Honors Colloquium. After interacting with faculty, spending time on the gorgeous campus, hearing current students talk about their experiences, and waking up to the scent of pine trees, I knew that I wanted to be a Pirate. When I got a call a week later offering me a full-tuition scholarship, it sealed the deal.
I cannot begin to describe how much of a blessing Whitworth has been since that day. Every moment I spend on campus brings an opportunity to grow as a guitarist, a scholar, a person and a Christian. The things that I've gotten to do through the music department, in particular, are simply astounding. Through Whitworth's music department, I've traveled to and performed in Seattle, Chicago, New York City and Thailand. I get to work and study one-on-one with my professors in a state-of-the-art facility. I've been able to spend time and play with jazz legends Arturo Sandoval, Branford Marsalis, and my musical hero Pat Metheny, among others. Perhaps best of all, I have gotten to know each one of my music professors on a personal level outside of class time. Few, if any, other universities can claim all of these things.
I plan to become a professional guitarist, performing, teaching and writing music. I can also see myself teaching at a university like Whitworth. Because of the scholarship I received through donations to the university, I will enter graduate school with no student debt. The generosity of donors allows me to practice, study, perform and play without financial distress. It also means that I can afford the expensive instruments, tools and equipment that I need for my musical studies. Most importantly, I can pass the generosity that I've been shown along to my community, peers, family, and all whom I will encounter after I leave Whitworth.