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Brett Turrell
B.A. Liberal Studies, 2007
 Ask Brett Turrell how he would describe his studies at Antioch and he says coming to Antioch is like going on a trip.
"If you're willing to do the work and be open to the possibilities of learning new things about yourself and your world, your journey will be rich, fulfilling and never-ending," Turrell says. "It really is a beginning and the destination seems less important than the experience you get along the way."
Gaining credit for learning from life and work experiences (also known as Prior Learning) was especially valuable to him.
"Going through the entire Prior Learning process helped me to be a better writer overall, shortened the time it took to get my degree and helped to reduce my debt load in the process. It was worth every re-write and draft and has helped me to be a successful grant writer at the nonprofit where I volunteer," he notes.
When he recollects a peak experience it's of a campus event he organized.
"Each and every member in the B.A. program went out of their way to spend time with me, guide me and help me understand that I could only get out of the program what I was willing to put into it."
"My best memory of my time at Antioch was the experience of planning and organizing a day of events on campus around the intersection of racism, patriarchy and capitalism and how damaging these systems are to realizing our fullest humanity.
"It was a lot of work but I felt I had the entire support of the B.A. program. We had a very successful day of workshops and discussions, which culminated in a successful lecture later that evening. The best part of this experience, though, was that it seemed to ignite a larger discussion campus-wide of the damaging effects of racism, which sparked more students to organize social justice workshops."
His independent study was more fun than he imagined it would be. "And although I fulfilled my obligations to that organization, I continue to volunteer countless hours with them as the experience was – and continues to be – so transforming and enriching, " he says.
He points to all those who inspired him along the way.
"It would be a disservice to all of the staff in my program to single out one faculty member in particular," Turrell says. "Each and every member in the B.A. program went out of their way to spend time with me, guide me and help me understand that I could only get out of the program what I was willing to put into it.
"Anne Harvey helped me design the student group, 'Bridging the Schisms of the Isms,' which provides forums and opportunities for people to share their experiences of oppression and how we might find commonalities in these experiences to bridge what divides us.
"Jack Johnston and Carson Marshall were my 'go-to' guys for everything logistical to choosing the best courses for my journey of learning. Phoenix Raine helped me to focus on what it means to have unearned privilege that comes from being a white male in society and using that privilege in ways that does not oppress others. And my adviser Mary Lou Finley helped guide not only my academic journey but also my spiritual one as well. Could I have done without these folks? Probably, but it wouldn't have been as rewarding."
He has kudos for Antioch's Financial Aid Office as well.
"The Financial Aid office made the whole process of obtaining financial aid easy by giving me at least six lender options. Twenty years ago, I remember I had to do all that work and it was exhausting," he says.
His cost-saving tips?
"Research grants and scholarships as much as you can. Once you start writing them, it gets easier, but it takes some work. Go to the scholarship classes offered by the Financial Aid office. It's worth the time and effort."
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