Gilmour Academy alumnus Michael “Mick” Hopkins can remember a time in his life when he wasn’t really sure what he believed, but despite this uncertainty, he always felt welcome in his parish and youth group and always appreciated the community he comes from.
By his senior year of high school, Hopkins decided that he wanted to “take a deeper dive and learn more about my faith”—and he wanted to play college football. He found the opportunity to do both at The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., and in the process, he also became part of a new and welcoming community.
Now a junior studying finance, with a minor in theology, Hopkins is a member of the University’s Division III football team and an active participant in its Campus Ministry program. Both programs have been an integral part of his college experience and, in fact, he says he is grateful that they have “really helped me to grow as a man.”
“Find a place that aligns with the values you have and who you want to become, and when you’re looking at a school, try to talk to people there and see if that’s the type of person you want to be.”
Division III football is demanding but, according to Hopkins, it doesn’t take so much of his time that he can’t also participate in other activities and have other friends. In fact, he is building strong friendships through Campus Ministry, and he remarks that seeing the beauty of their common faith “makes friendships so much more fruitful.”
Hopkins also found time to do a study abroad semester last year at the University’s Rome campus, and he is taking advantage of the opportunities that living in Washington, D.C. offers.
“So many people choose Catholic University for the same reason as me: the intersection of faith and D.C. and wanting to grow,” he points out. “I saw the opportunity for growth in personal faith, education, and then athletics, as well. Being able to have all of that together in a college and in a place that lives and breathes its Catholic faith—for me and a lot of people I know, it’s very essential to why we chose to come here.”
Hopkins is thriving academically at Catholic University and he especially appreciates the emphasis on faith and ethics in his business classes.
“In the business school, they’re very intentional about incorporating the Catholic faith into all our classes. I look forward to being a professional and to already having sort of thought about these things, looking at the right way to do business or treat others. It’s something you don’t get at a lot of other schools,” he remarks.
As Hopkins reflects on his education, he credits Gilmour Academy for preparing him well for college coursework, noting especially the essay writing techniques and advanced math he learned.
Asked what advice he might have for current Gilmour Academy students who are doing their own college search, Hopkins replies sagely, “Find a place that aligns with the values you have and who you want to become, and when you’re looking at a school, try to talk to people there and see if that’s the type of person you want to be.”
