News from The Mahurin Honors College

For Andrew Blosser, college isn’t about choosing between passion and practicality—it’s about making space for both. Now entering his sophomore year at WKU, Andrew is pursuing a unique combination: a degree in Mathematical Economics on the actuarial track and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. From marching band drills to econometric models, he’s navigating life with rhythm and precision.

A Different Kind of Hilltop

Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Andrew always assumed he’d attend the University of Louisville—just across the street from DuPont Manual High School, where he was part of the Math, Science, and Technology program. “That was my short-term plan through middle and early high school,” he explains. “But I honestly wanted to get away from the close-by area.”

Purdue University became a top contender during his senior year, especially for its renowned actuarial science program. “That was my big target school for a while,” he recalls. But when family friends—WKU alumni—encouraged him to take a look at the Hill, he decided to give it a shot.

“As I looked into WKU, I fell in love with the campus. I really liked the music program—which was something I knew I wanted to stay involved in—and I liked the smaller, more personal feel compared to a place like Purdue. And, of course, the scholarships didn’t hurt,” he adds with a smile.

Living in Stereo: Math Meets Music

Andrew hasn’t had to leave behind either of his interests. “I’m kind of a music major,” he jokes. “Mathematical Economics is my primary major, but I’m also doing a BA in Music. That lets me be in the ensembles, take lessons with Dr. John Cipolla, and stay connected to music—without the heavier course load of a performance or music education major.”

Music is deeply rooted in his upbringing. “My mom was my elementary school music teacher, and my dad was a high school music teacher before becoming a church music minister,” he says. “They were both choir people. But when I had the option to try band in fifth grade, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I ended up loving it.”

That love led him straight to the WKU Big Red Marching Band, which quickly became a defining part of his first year college experience. “Marching band was one of the biggest draws for me,” he says. “It’s where I made most of my connections. Even though it’s a big group, it’s also a close one.”

A high note came in Winter 2024, when the band was invited to perform in London, England. “We didn’t just march—we led the London New Year’s Day Parade through the streets of the city. It was surreal,” he says. “We even got to perform at Cadogan Hall, where the London Philharmonic plays. That’s something I’ll probably never get to do again.”

Though the trip was his first time abroad, it’s sparked an interest in future travel. “I’ve gone back and forth on study abroad. My schedule’s already pretty packed, and I’d prefer not to add another semester—but I’m definitely not ruling it out.”

A Mind for Numbers and Justice

In his HON 251 Civic Engagement Project, Andrew found a way to unite his analytical mindset with a strong sense of social equity. Drawing from his background in the Methodist church, he examined gender disparities in clergy leadership and pay.

“I wanted to keep the statistics simple enough that people could actually understand the analysis—not just trust the conclusion,” he explains. “A lot of people only understand very basic statistics, so accessibility was really important to me.”

The data revealed meaningful gaps. “The pay difference wasn’t as severe as some professions—radiology had something like a 50% drop—but it still wasn’t great. What really stood out, though, was representation: only about one in four clergy are women, compared to roughly one in two in most other jobs.”

He plans to present his findings to his church board and is considering expanding the project into his required economics thesis. “It might be a great opportunity to build on what I’ve already done,” he says. “I’ll need to talk to someone about how to make that work next semester.”

Marching Forward

Like many first-year students, Andrew’s biggest challenge has been learning to manage his own schedule. “My parents had always handled our family calendar. That first week of college, realizing I had to manage everything myself—that was scary,” he admits.

Now, he’s developed his own system. “I don’t always trust automated calendar syncing. I just use the default calendar app and manually enter everything. It works—I know it’s there, and I won’t miss anything.”

Looking ahead, Andrew has goals both on and off the field. In music, he hopes to earn a high chair in the wind ensemble and continue improving his musicianship. In mathematics, he’s preparing for actuarial exams and still exploring the field. “An actuary from my church recommended it to me, and I’ve been figuring it out as I go—what it means to be an actuary, what the job entails. I’m still absorbing all of that.”

One thing’s certain: whatever comes next, Andrew is moving forward—one note, one step, one calculation at a time.