Alumni Profiles

B.S., physics, 2006

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering candidate

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

To watch an interview with Charlie, click here.

Charlie Stroup is a fascinating mixture of seeming contradictions. He’s a very physical athlete who studies art history and draws. He’s a guy who drives a pickup truck and loves hunting and fishing, but is writing a master’s degree thesis titled “Design and Construction of a Frequency Stabilized He Ne Laser System for Precision Metrology Applications.”

Charlie says that the relationships he built at Guilford College are the most defining parts of his college years. “Everybody there is dedicated to building relationships — the other students, all the staff members, the professors. They all want the students to have the best guidance possible as they go through their time at Guilford.”

“I tell you, this relationship-building was across the board at Guilford, from the athletic trainers to the professors to the administration. One time I had to miss an important class, and the professor had me over to his house for a study session so I could catch up. Can you believe that?”

He keeps going: “Not only that, but the profs had us to their houses at Christmas time; at other times we went out to eat with them; and I can tell you why. It’s that Quaker thing. I didn’t know anything at all about Quakers when I went there, but the Quaker traditions — emphasizing respect and equality — are the actual underpinnings of the whole college. Equality and respect, it doesn’t get better than that.”

In fact, Charlie says he almost had big problems during his freshman year, but that a faculty member saved him. “I was having a tough time academically as a freshman,” he says. “I was just flat out overwhelmed. But this one professor, who was also my advisor, stayed on me. And stayed with me. He made sure that I got through it. And let me tell you, I am forever grateful. He is a lifelong friend.”

So is it fair to say that the environment at Guilford College is nurturing? “No,” says Charlie, “the word ‘nurturing’ is a vast understatement. Everyone there is committed to the students’ success both academically and as people. It’s nurturing PLUS.”

How challenged is he in graduate school? “I was tremendously prepared at Guilford,” he says. “On a personal basis I was ready, thanks to learning how to problem solve at Guilford. And academically, same thing. Here’s one example: Guilford gave me excellent scientific writing skills. That is so important, and boy am I grateful. Here’s another: Guilford taught me the proper way to present scientific data. I mean, others in my grad school really struggle with that, but it’s just second nature to me. Grateful!”

“I can’t imagine not being in the Guilford College atmosphere, with professors like I had who were sincerely interested in my education and growing as an individual.The education I received at Guilford is a huge part of the success I have had — and will have — in my life.”