By Katharine ‘22
One of my favorite spots on campus is the Kutler Center. The facility bridges Mudd Library to the history classes in Seaver. Apart from the convenience of the location, the Kutler Center classrooms have a great vibe. The bamboo walls and expansive windows that overlook the campus social scene and greenery create a modern and beautiful environment to learn in. Classroom desks are typically placed in a circle fostering open dialogue.
The building was named as a tribute to Brendan Kutler, a student known for his love of learning, and now houses over 30 interdisciplinary studies including non-traditional studies like “The Science of Psychology” and “Business: A Metacognitive Approach.”
In my Sophomore year, I took my first Kutler Center class: “Unconventional Leadership.” As the lone sophomore in a class full of juniors and seniors, I was nervous. However, I was immediately put at ease by my upperclassmen. The lessons learned and experiences I had in this class set the tone for the trajectory of my HW study.
As a Junior, I elected to take “Ethics in Theory and Practice” as my interdisciplinary study. This class challenged me to explore the nuances of modern-day ethical dilemmas. Like “Unconventional Leadership,” this class also expanded my worldview.
Currently, I’m taking my second semester of “Shakespeare and the World Around Us” as my Kutler Center class. At best, I had a cursory understanding of Shakespeare prior to enrolling. I hadn’t appreciated the beauty of his writing or how influential his plots continue to be in pop culture. From the get-go, the teacher made Shakespeare exciting and accessible.
Since students at HW design their own schedules, no 2 students graduate with identical experiences. I encourage new and prospective students to come to campus with an open mind, eager to maximize the opportunities around them, and to not limit themselves with preconceived ideas of what they should be doing. Harvard Westlake’s Kutler Center is the ideal place to follow your curiosity.
