Class of 2026: Seth Hurt

Seth Hurt transferred to McDaniel in his sophomore year and quickly fell in love with everything the campus had to offer. Seth developed his own confidence and learned that being unafraid to ask questions is the best way to grow. He’s thankful for the support of his lacrosse teammates, his peers in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and his mentors in Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) that helped him leave a legacy of leading with faith and a strong work ethic.

A male student stands in front of a green patterned wall.

The most important lesson I learned was never to be afraid to ask questions, because if you don’t ask, you will never learn. Going forward, I am not afraid to ask questions, and I think this has helped me to be more confident in my skills that I have learned and developed over the years that I have attended McDaniel.

Seth Hurt '26

In his own words

When I took my first step on the Hill, I was:: A transfer sophomore and it was for my tour. I loved the campus, how everything was close, and how there was so much to do on campus.
The me who will ring the Old Main bell on Commencement Day is:: A strong and committed person that accomplished something that some people told him he would not accomplish.
Real-world experiences:: I completed an internship with an alum while at McDaniel. This experience taught me a lot, and the most important lesson I learned was never to be afraid to ask questions, because if you don’t ask, you will never learn. Going forward, I am not afraid to ask questions, and I think this has helped me to be more confident in my skills that I have learned and developed over the years that I have attended McDaniel.
My aha moment:: An aha moment was when I made the dean’s list for the first time. This was big for me because I had teachers who told me that I would not do well in high school and would not go to college. When I made the dean’s list, it showed me that my effort paid off and that I can achieve hard things no matter what.
Footprints I’m leaving on the Hill:: I want to leave the Hill knowing that I led with my faith and helped as many people as I could find and follow Jesus. I also want to leave a big impact on my teammates, and hopefully, they can carry on the work ethic and attitude I played my sport with and live my life with.

Faculty or staff member who most influenced who I have become:: Associate Director of SASS & Special Programs Kendra Heard ’98, M.S. ’00 helped me be confident in my skills and build my academic skills. She was honest with me all the time, and I needed this to learn how to be honest with myself. She also is always willing to help any student that walks through the Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) doors, and I am so thankful that Kendra helped me through my three years here at McDaniel.
Best class ever:: There were a lot of good classes, but my favorite had to be Leadership and Professional Development, taught by Dr. Rich Laird. This class helped me learn how I want to shape my leadership style, and it was fun to have a class built around discussion. Every day, I walked out thinking about my leadership and reflecting on my life, and I loved this because it helped me think and not just sit in class and do work all day.

A male student smiles in front of a green patterned wall.

Tell us a little about your activities, including sports, during your years at McDaniel:: I am a lacrosse player here at McDaniel, Step Ahead mentor for SASS, and leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Took me totally by surprise:: Something that took me by total surprise was how welcoming the school was to me as a transfer, and more specifically how the SASS office helped me get going and stay successful. Without them, I would have had a very hard transition, and I think it would have taken me a lot longer to get my feet under me and be as successful as I was at McDaniel.
My favorite spot on campus:: My favorite spot on campus is the path that goes behind the baseball field because it is so quiet back there, and I love just walking and seeing the sunset from there.
Most mind-boggling idea I learned at McDaniel:: Something I learned is that if you don’t try, you won’t know. I say this because there have been so many times that I have wanted to do something and places that I wanted to go, but I did not think they would be possible. Being here at McDaniel, I have found a way to be able to at least try and see what happens, and I don’t think I would have thought this way before coming to McDaniel College.
My capstone title:: “Investigation of the Acute Effects of Static, Dynamic, and PNF Stretching on Power Output and Muscular Strength in Student-Athletes”
What it’s about in plain talk:: My capstone is about looking at different types of stretching and seeing which one produces the most power output on a Biodex.
What's next:: I am planning to get a job in strength and conditioning and travel a little in the summer.
How will you stay connected to McDaniel?: I will stay connected to McDaniel through the FCA and the many friends that I made along the way. I will also come and watch lacrosse games when I can to see how the lacrosse program grows after I leave.
If you received financial aid, what did that mean for you and your family?: I received a Military Legacy Scholarship, and this meant everything for my family. I would not have been able to come to McDaniel without it. I am so thankful to my stepfather for his service and all that he did to protect this country.

As a transfer to McDaniel for his sophomore year, Seth immersed himself in the McDaniel community, quickly becoming a recognized friendly face on campus. He engaged not only with the lacrosse team, but also different groups on campus — particularly FCA — and embraced a leadership role as a Step Ahead mentor. Seth challenges himself in developing his character by pushing himself mentally, academically, and physically.

Kendra Heard ’98, M.S. ’00, Associate Director of SASS & Special Programs

Class of 2026: Seth Hurt

In his own words

About Seth