Finding Greatness: John Mark Allen
Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, October 26, 2015 3:15 PM
Categories:
College of Arts and Sciences | Students | Finding Greatness
Macon, GA
helping people in poverty.
Full Name: John Mark Allen.
Age: 20.
Hometown: Hawkinsville.
Residence: Cochran.
High School: Homeschooled.
Family: "Dear old dad, AKA, Pappy, AKA, Larry Allen."
Current Employment: Full-time student, resident assistant at Gateway Hall.
Degree Objective: Bachelor of science in Psychology.
Class Rank: Sophomore.
Primary Campus: "Cochran, baby!!!"
Activities: "I'm kinda in and out everywhere. Baptist Collegiate Ministry is the club I am
most active in, but I hang out with people in all types of clubs, and try to get involved
through them." He's also a two-time marathon runner.
Career Goals: "I want to have an impact on impoverished communities, whether through
education reform or through the legal system. At the end of the day, I would be perfectly
happy as a pastor of a small local church."
He chose Middle Georgia State because … "It's basically right next door to my hometown. A
lot of my friends have gone here. So, I did too."
The one thing that surprised him about Middle Georgia State was … "The faculty. I have built
fantastic relationships with professors, directors and even the dining hall chef. I am
grateful for the hospitality and how welcoming they have been to a ragtag kid who talks too
much."
His favorite professor is … "I have several. First, my English professor, Joshua Hill. He's
what the youth would call 'bae.' My Art teacher, Lee Simmons, approaches art like he's Willy
Wonka, and that helps students engage. Patricia Linder and Rebecca Edwards have both been
fantastic and hilarious and go out of their way to help students succeed. Andrew Wright was
the most unique/off the wall, but he made History fun, funny and incredibly interesting. Thomas Caldwell in Psychology has not only been funny and engaging, he has expressed genuine care for his students, and he never fails to uplift me when I speak to him. I know I
am supposed to pick one, but each professor I have interacted with has been so kind and so helpful. They make Middle Georgia State worth it."
My favorite place to study is … "BRUH. The Huddle House, from 11 a.m. until I get done. It
is the best. It's quiet, I get my coffee. When other people show up, I walk away with the
funniest stories!"
One thing people don’t know about him is … "I wrestle with a lot of insecurities. I know
this isn't what most people say, but I think I need to. A lot of people tell me how
encouraging or uplifting I am to them - and I appreciate that - but they are just as
uplifting to me. I have struggles, I am not perfect, and as I seek to help others, I am
often the one that is helped. Love my fellow Knights!"
His friends make fun of me because … "I often get left and right confused."
The one person he'd most like to meet is … "I can't name just one. Among others, I'd like to
meet Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King Jr Ghandi and Hitler. Bonhoeffer has changed my
life more than anyone I have ever read. Dr. King made such strides for our nation, and I'd
love to question him on his philosophy, and how he views America now. Ghandi rejected
Christianity because a church acted racist against him, and I want him to know that they
were wrong, and that Jesus was not like that. I want to meet Hitler because I want to ask
him about his childhood and early 20s. I want to know what happened that set him on his
path."
Five years from now he sees himself ... "Hopefully pursuing a doctorate in Sociology,
Psychology or Philosophy, but I'm keeping my options open. I think we all want to change the
world. I just hope I can change a few people's lives."