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A balanced approach to success

By Catherine Monson '12
November 19, 2009
St. Olaf student John Schantzen '10, who is double majoring in biology and chemistry, plans to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathy degree at Des Moines University.

Given all the academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities that senior John Schantzen has undertaken, it’s hard to believe that he has time to watch the Vikings on Sunday afternoons. But with his sense of balance and the support of a liberal arts community, he even has time to open that favorite science fiction novel before bed.

Schantzen is one of the many St. Olaf students who take on two majors, several jobs, and an abundance of extracurricular activities while fitting in a study-abroad program during their four years at St. Olaf.

“A tremendous role model” is the way St. Olaf Head Football Coach Jerry Olszewski describes Schantzen, and for a number of a reasons.

A native of Stillwater, Minn., Schanzten has earned top honors in both of the intercollegiate sports in which he participates — football and track and field — while double majoring in biology and chemistry. He was a starting offensive tackle for four seasons and finished the season as a senior captain on the St. Olaf football team. In his junior year, he earned All-American honors for shot put in track and field, breaking the school shot put record.

He has been accepted into the top three medical schools that he applied to (Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Creighton University, and Des Moines University), and he plans to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathy degree at Des Moines University. He also earned a United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Academic All-American honor for the Division III outdoor championships last May.

A supportive community
Apart from academics and athletics, Schantzen devotes much of his time to residence life, working as the student hall coordinator in Larson Hall. The position requires strong leadership skills and a commitment to improving student life at St. Olaf. On top of these occupations, Schantzen is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Oles.

But even with the ambitious schedule that Schantzen maintains, his key to success is not in the amount of activities he pursues; it is in the balance that he is able to achieve between them.

"In my 17 years of coaching, John [No. 62] is one of the finest examples of a student-athlete that I have ever had the joy to coach," says St. Olaf Football Coach Jerry Olszewski.

“Inevitably there’s going to be some conflict with everything I have going on, and the science faculty and coaches have been really supportive in helping me arrange my schedule so I can do all these different things,” he says. “It’s the only way I would have been able to accomplish any of this.”

Olszewski, Schanzten’s football coach of several years, praises the effort Schanzten puts into becoming a well-rounded student. “In my 17 years of coaching, John is one of the finest examples of a student-athlete that I have ever had the joy to coach. His servanthood and willingness to help others reach their potential creates an example for all St. Olaf students to follow,” he says.

Looking to the future
Schantzen attributes many of his achievements to the ideals of the St. Olaf community, but he also notes the important role of the St. Olaf Health Professions Committee, comprised of faculty from the sciences and mathematics, in helping him decide on his career path. A seminar on alternative medicine caught his attention during his sophomore year, and from then on, he knew what field to go into. “I really love interacting with people,” he says, “so it just seemed like a natural fit to try and go into primary care, as a physician.”

And Schantzen has more than a promising career to look forward to after he leaves St. Olaf: he will be taking classes alongside his fiancée. Amy Deeg, also a senior at St. Olaf, will attend Des Moines University to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathy degree as well. The couple can see themselves eventually working at a rural practice in a town like Northfield, but wherever they end up, Schantzen would like to become involved with coaching high school sports.

For now, though, the focus is on enjoying the time that he has left at St. Olaf. Schantzen wrapped up four years of hard work on the St. Olaf football team in a home game against Hamline University. It was a sad moment for Schanzten, but he knows of at least one opportunity to play football after St. Olaf. Des Moines University plays Drake University in the “Malpractice Bowl” each year, and in between his hours of classes and training at Des Moines University, Schantzen will inevitably make it to that flag football game.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.