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“Reed has been right for our daughter”
Bryan and Christy Cressey, whose eldest daughter Monique is a senior, say her years at Reed
have been stimulating, exciting, and rigorous.
“It’s certainly not been the ‘normal’ college experience,” explains Christy, “if that means sororities and football games.”
“Reed has been tough,” says Bryan, “and Monique is the kind of person who really enjoys a rigorous academic environment. She keeps her nose to the grindstone, and she’s very independent minded. That’s probably why she’s done so well there.”
The Cresseys, parents of three daughters, are co-chairs of Reed’s Parent Council. They say that Monique chose Reed after a campus visit. “She just fell in love with the place,” remembers Bryan. Although Bryan and Christy now live near Chicago, they grew up in Washington and were familiar with Reed from their own college days at the University of Washington. “Monique’s decision to attend Reed was entirely her own,” says Christy.
They feel that the decision has been the right one for her. “She has certainly grown up in the last four years,” says Bryan. “When she comes home I’m always impressed by how articulate she is and by her depth of knowledge on the subjects she’s studying.” Monique is majoring in economics and considering pursuing a career in medicine. Her thesis explores the relationship of the number of physicians in an area and the corresponding health of the population.
The Cresseys’ advice for other parents
Don’t worry if you don’t get a lot of information from your child. Chances are you’ll never really know what’s currently going on in their lives until later. Both parents say they have a close relationship with Monique and know that if she needs their help, she’ll confide in them.
Encourage your student to take advantage of the many opportunities to get off campus with Gray Fund trips and also to get regular physical exercise. “Reed offers so many wonderful PE classes; there’s something for everyone.”
Visit campus and sit in on some classes, if you can. “It is really enlightening and gave us a real sense of the what our daughter is experiencing,” says Bryan. Christy agrees. “It’s been so wonderful to hear from Monique about how supportive her teachers have been. Her adviser has given her great career ideas and has become a real friend.”
