John McCluskey
Classification: Senior
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Cleveland, TN

Senior music education major John McCluskey began his career at Lee in 2004 and has spent the last three years enjoying Lee to its fullest.

A Cleveland native and son of a local pastor (his parents are Jay and Michelle McCluskey of North Cleveland Baptist Church), McCluskey was in a position to get to know Lee before he applied to colleges. This advantage allows him the security to tell people exactly why he chose Lee. “Alan Wyatt,” said McCluskey. “I met him in high school and he directed an honors jazz band I was in. I knew I wanted to study with him. He’s a great teacher.”

McCluskey, a saxophone player, is living his dream, studying under Wyatt and playing under him in the Jazz Ensemble and Saxophone Quartet. He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Symphonia, the men’s music fraternity; Pi Kappa Lambda, the music honors society; the Dean’s Student Advisory Council for the School of Music; and performed in the 2007 Honors Recital.

Teaching not only drew him to Lee, it’s what McCluskey enjoys the most about his time here. “I feel like a lot of my teachers are my friends,” he said. “I feel like we’re close and they care about how I learn and how best to help me succeed. Everything seems to come back to my personal relationships with my professors. I think that’s a neat thing that is difficult to find at other universities.”

When asked what advice he would give to incoming freshmen he said, “Go to class. 70% of college is going to class. The other 30% is studying.” He doesn’t ignore the social aspect of college life, though. “Don’t be afraid of the other guys in your dorm,” he said. “Those guys will be really good friends to you. Talk to people.”

McCluskey hopes to go to Cambridge in 2008 and to graduate in December of 2008. His future plans include playing in a military band and then teaching.

 

Posted on - 8/1/07