The Impact of Giving

Harrison grew up listening to stories about Williamson College of the Trades. Three of his uncles graduated from Williamson, specializing in different trades (Michael Pritt, 1W1, Power Plant; Ben Pritt, 0W0, Power Plant; and Jonathan Pritt, 9W7, Carpentry). Initially, Harrison resisted carrying on the family tradition, envisioning himself at a more traditional university after graduating high school. But upon further reflection, he was drawn to the core values that Williamson incorporates into its culture. Harrison reflects, “I knew going to Williamson was a great opportunity and that the school’s focus on integrity, diligence, and faith would positively impact me far into the future.”

FACING CHANGE HEAD-ON
Harrison was homeschooled from a young age through high school. He understood enrolling at Williamson would bring significant changes, and he was nervous about having the social skills necessary to thrive in a group setting. But he quickly discovered that interacting with other people, especially students from different backgrounds, provided him with invaluable life lessons. “Thanks to the safe and supportive environment at Williamson, I’ve overcome my social anxiety and totally come out of my shell,” he shares.

EMBRACING DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES
Harrison enrolled at Williamson to study Landscape Construction and Management because he was interested in design. However, he was able to learn a lot more than he ever expected. “I’ve always been creative, and I feel fortunate to have been introduced to many different career paths here at Williamson. The internships and handson learning opportunities I’ve participated in have helped me broaden my scope and become a well-rounded student,” he explains.

LESSONS LEARNED
Williamson’s core values, which attracted Harrison to the school, have guided him throughout his time there. Through various interships, such as power washing and carpentry, Harrison has grown to appreciate the importance of taking the time to do things well.’ He believes “integrity in the workforce means not just completing the job, but doing it to the best of your ability.”

BEST WORDS OF ADVICE
Harrison is a young man of faith who recognizes that he has been blessed with many great mentors in his life. He highlights Dale Plummer, the Director of Athletics at Williamson, as one of the key figures that God has placed in his path to guide him in the right direction. Additionally, he credits his mother for consistently reminding him that his relationship with God is the most important aspect of his life, saying, “Whenever I’m tempted to slack off or feel like I don’t want to work as hard as I can, my mom’s voice echoes in my head, saying, ‘Work heartily unto the Lord.’”

NEXT STEPS
Harrison is getting married the week after graduation. Despite receiving several full-time job offers, he has decided to study business at Lancaster Bible College, where his soon-to-be wife is also enrolled. “My goal at Williamson was to develop strong skills in various trades to prepare me for anything that comes my way,” he says. In the long term, Harrison hopes to work in the greenhouse industry, possibly in a sales role. This aspiration is one of the many reasons he has chosen to continue his education after graduating from Williamson.