The daughter of Sean Fitzpatrick ’81, Fitzpatrick was been determined to come to Amherst since she was a little girl. When she arrived at the College in 2004, her father became the youngest alumnus to have a child attend his alma mater at the time. No doubt, Fitzpatrick’s life, as well as those of many others, has been changed by her choice to enroll at Amherst.
Like most freshmen, she had no idea what her major would be. However, after four years of many friendships, mentors, and classes, she will graduate this May a history and music double major. History had always been an enjoyable subject for Fitzpatrick, as she grew up reading a lot of historical fiction as she grew up. Once she began to take classes in the department, the choice was simple for her.
Music, however, was never something Fitzpatrick thought she would major in. Although she has taken piano lessions since she was a little girl and joined the Women’s Chorus upon her arrival to the College, music was more of a hobby for her than a subject of study. This changed, however, when she began to take classes with Associate Professor of Music David Schneider within the Music Department. “He encouraged me to challenge myself,” Cassidy said. “He realized I was better [at the subject] than I thought I was.” Thus she decided to become a major.
Fitzpatrick stayed in the Women’s Chorus for two years, then joined the Concert Choir as a junior, remaining with that group throughout the last two years of her college career. Said Choral Director Mallorie Chernin, “She is wonderfully supportive and fun to have in Choir. I will miss her greatly and wish her well.” Fitzpatrick has been a dedicated member of the choirs, her specialty in aiding in the positioning of the members when listening for balance and color.
Along with spending time with Chernin during choir, Cassidy took a choral conducting class with her last fall, and highly recommends this half credit course. Cassidy learned a lot from the class, saying, “You never realize how in control you are [as a conductor].” She was also surprised at how the balance that has to be reached between trusting the singers and leading them. “It can be scary because at some points you can trust the singers, but the minute you get too comfortable [the singers can get lost,]” she said.
Someone else who has influenced her throughout her years here is Assistant Professor of Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought Adam Sitze. She took The Psychology of Law with him and enjoyed reading Freud, saying that she found it very rewarding.
Her friends have also been very helpful to her, steadying and supporting her over the years. Jennifer Murphy ’08 is one of her oldest friends. The two are from the same hometown of Simsbury, Conn., and their relationship grew when they both lived in South College in their first year. Jennifer had nothing but good things to say about Cassidy, explaining, “Cassidy has been a constant source of friendship and guidance to me,” adding, “I always enjoy hearing her interesting opinions that reflect her love for knowledge and ability to engage people in conversation.”
As for graduating, Cassidy said “This is the first semester that I’m really not ready to be done.” She is scared as many are about leaving college and entering the “real world, because we’re in a bubble here.” Still, she is looking forward to using her, “liberal arts skills in the real world” and feels that she is ready to begin the next part of her life. Fitzpatrick is grateful for her time at Amherst, explaining her love for the intelligent people who have influenced and challenged her in college, and is also glad to have made good friends, one of whom she plans to live with next year. This summer, after graduating, Cassidy plans to go to Europe for three weeks with several friends, then find a job when she returns home,
In the end, Amherst College has helped Cassidy “[grow] as a person and a writer.” She has forged many connections that will aide her in the coming years in which she will further explore what life can bring her.