Small College. Big Discovery.

"I decided after attending community college online to transfer to Westminster College once I became involved with the paleontology work taking place on campus and in South Dakota. I was able to volunteer in the prep lab for over a year, even before officially becoming a student, which allowed me to grow skills I never thought I'd acquire before graduate school. Upon starting at Westminster this fall, I knew that this college had the potential to give me a head start in my chosen career field of paleontology and museum studies, through avenues like high-level undergraduate research. I've discovered so many opportunities to develop and grow that I never possible!"

"Working with Shady was a turning point in my academic journey, shaping my future career in geological sciences. I started at Westminster as an undecided student, but my experience with Shady solidified my passion for geology. This small undergraduate college offers opportunities for hands-on research that larger universities often reserve for graduate students. Shady is a remarkable piece of earth's history that helps us uncover its secrets, one bone at a time."

"Getting to unearth and touch an animal that is millions of years old was such an awe moment for me. It really makes you think about our own time here on earth and about how, in the grand scheme of things, 80 years here, for example, is really only a tiny blip in time. Dr. David Schmidt is such an instrumental part in my experiences."