Viking Profile

Jason Farmer

When senior Jason Farmer isn’t working on his degree in engineering technology, he has plenty of interests to keep him busy. The Winchester, Virginia native says he is always on the lookout for new experiences.

“I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley, so it should be no surprise that hiking and photography are two of my favorite outdoor pastimes,” says Farmer. “My typical outlets at home are gaming, playing the guitar and cooking.”

Since becoming a student at Elizabeth City State University, Farmer says his life has become richer and his goals higher. The influence of his professors and fellow students has led Farmer to personal and academic growth.

“A few years ago one of my mentors told me, ‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone’ (a quote from author Neale Donald Walsch),” recalled Farmer. “After a period of intense soul-searching, I came to agree and began to push my own personal limits.”

For Farmer, pushing his limits is affording him the opportunity to look toward the future. He hopes to find a career that will continue to push him to learn and help him advance in life.

“Do yourself a favor and give yourself a chance to find out exactly what your potential is,” says Farmer.

Professors That Influence Me the Most: All of the Technology Department’s faculty members that I have formed academic relationships with have been influential throughout my time here. Some have pushed my critical thinking skills to the limit, elevating me to an academic level I would not have previously anticipated.

Advice for Other Students: It can be very difficult to balance studies, work, family, relationships, hobbies and the rest of the things life throws at you. Difficult, but not impossible. You must define your goals and evaluate them constantly. Obstacles will come, but it is your own perspective that allows them to become the mountains that can stand in the way of your success. You must remind yourself that your true goals rest on the horizon. They may be difficult to see out there beyond some of those mountains, but they are there, and once you have reached that horizon those mountains are nothing but a thing of the past.