A familiar face on campus is a statement most people would agree on. Tanner Quackenbush ’26 is a senior majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Religion and Psychology. He has served as president of the Sphinx Club, as an executive member of the Rugby Club, as a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and in his personal favorite role, making the weekly crossword for The Bachelor.
While he was familiar with Wabash before he officially enrolled, Quackenbush experienced growth in a unique way and in high ranks. He will graduate as something he did not expect to become, with great success and, most importantly, great experiences. As his time at Wabash comes to an end, Quackenbush reflected on what he values most about his experience.
“The best part of my time at Wabash has been the deep, real conversations I’ve had with friends,” said Quackenbush. “A lot of them happened late at night, just sitting around talking about stress, failure, identity and what we actually want out of life. Those talks taught me how to listen better and be more open about what I’m feeling. It was never about arguing or being right; it was about understanding each other.”
Building close relationships shaped his experience and worldview.
“Being in a place where people feel comfortable being vulnerable has really shaped how I see the world and connect with others,” said Quackenbush.
Quackenbush followed a path similar to many of his peers when he joined the Sphinx Club, an organization known for its pots and stripes. He eventually became president, a role that brought new responsibility.
“Becoming President of the Sphinx Club was when it really hit me,” said Quackenbush. “All of a sudden, my decisions actually affected other people. It wasn’t just a title; people were looking to me to lead, respect tradition and make tough calls.” That responsibility also created space for personal growth. “I had to grow up fast, trust my own judgment and also learn how to seriously consider perspectives other than my own,” said Quackenbush.
When he was not leading on campus, Quackenbush often split his time between the Fine Arts Center and Mud Hollow. Reflecting on his time in the Fine Arts Center, he described how deeply immersed he became in his work.
“I’d go in planning to work for an hour, and suddenly it was midnight,” said Quackenbush. “I wasn’t distracted, I was locked in. Losing track of time there made me realize that art isn’t just something I enjoy; it’s something I’m genuinely committed to.”
His dedication did not go unnoticed by faculty. Professor Weedman praised Quackenbush’s approach to his work.
“Even from one of his first assignments in photography class, he demanded a lot of himself physically and mentally and went above and beyond,” said Weedman. “Tanner was extremely driven and intense within himself. He asks and questions a lot about his work. He has been extremely reflective in class and very detail-oriented, more than any other student I’ve ever seen. He is one of the most serious artists I’ve had. His best attribute is the bravery he shows in being vulnerable as an artist.”
The main takeaways he will leave with when he crosses the arch are to embrace the hard and err on the side of doing too much, as this is far better than its opposite. Embracing this challenge is always what life will present to any Wabash man, as it is on us to keep doing what has been making this place special since 1832.
After graduation, Quackenbush plans to apply his liberal arts education and pursue graduate school to earn a Master of Fine Arts.