James McDonough

Admissions Counselor

james.mcdonough@eastern.edu

Hometown: Hershey, PA

Degree: BA in Political Science & Theology (King's College '19); M.Ed. in Elementary Education (University of Notre Dame '21)

Counselor Territory: Nursing Students

Why I Love Eastern: I love Eastern because of its commitment to Justice in the greater world. Aristotle describes Justice as the virtue which puts people in right relationship with others, giving them what is their due. Too much giving, we call favoritism. Too little, discrimination. Eastern forms students, in the light of Christ's words to "Go ye, therefore, to teach all nations," who go from this campus to exercise Justice in all aspects of society.

Favorite spot on Eastern’s campus: The Atrium of the Library is the best spot on campus. It has gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows which overlook the softball field, residence halls, and our protected wetland. It's the perfect place to read, study, and enjoy the beauty of the campus.

Favorite Eastern Memory: My favorite memory came from my third day as an Admissions Counselor. We were running a Day 1 for enrolled students. Seeing these incoming first-years become friends, settle into their new identity as Eastern students, and orient themselves on campus helped me see the fullness of Eastern. We can learn only so much about a school through website scrolling. Seeing campus and students cemented that coming to Eastern was the right decision for me.

Best place to grab a bite to eat in the area: On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the Lancaster County Farmers' Market (at the corner of Eagle and Lancaster, only 6 minutes away) is the best place to get a bite to eat, stock up on farm fresh produce, and get cheap, strong, delicious coffee.

Why I enjoy being an Admissions Counselor: I enjoy being an Admissions Counselor because it presents several authentic ways to help students find their best fit in higher education. For many families, a college degree is one of their largest investments, second only to a mortgage. Ensuring that students can thrive at Eastern and invest well in their education is a tremendous responsibility. I love the moments when students see how they fit and decide that Eastern is their school.