Xander Johnson '27 is a Finance and Philosophy double major student from St. Louis, MO. He shares why he chose to attend Catholic University and the Busch School, and what advice he has for prospective students.
Why did you choose to attend Catholic University and the Busch School?
"I attended the Catholic University of America because I was confident that the strong Catholic communal presence on campus would provide a holistic college formation. I was impressed with the Busch School's emphasis on the synthesis of faith, reason, and business practice for the purpose of forming virtuous business leaders."
Why do you want to be in the business world?
"I want to be in the business world to use my gifts and skill sets to make other's lives easier. I desire to be a personal financial advisor for the purpose of helping families secure retirement funds and be able to thrive. My mission is to make authentic relationships with clients be the premise and most important aspect of my work. I believe that success will follow if you put people first."
What's been your favorite part of being a student at Catholic University?
"The community has been my favorite part of being a student at Catholic University. I settled in with my classmates and found friends easily; however, I was also impressed with the vast amount of upperclassmen who were welcoming and invited me to join them for events or just to hang out. I then better understood the culture of the campus and was very thankful to be attending Catholic U. Furthermore, my professors are always willing to meet outside of class to discuss content or just have an enjoyable and casual conversation. The Catholic University community is one that is intentional and desires to help one another."
What advice would you give to prospective students?
"I would encourage prospective students to reach out, either in person or via email, to professors or department heads with specific questions. When I was a prospective student, I had a wonderful and informative conversation with Dr. Buttaci and Dr. Gorman about the structure and curriculum of the philosophy department. Additionally, I talked to faculty members in the Busch School about the role of Catholic thought in business education and practice. These conversations give prospective students an opportunity to discover the specifics that will shape part of their college experience."
