Class of 2025 senior spotlight
“Work hard, success will follow.” It’s a mantra Tom Oppman has lived to the fullest in his time thus far at the College. Oppman hails from Edwardsburg, Michigan, and credited the saying to his father, Robert “Bob” Oppman ’88.
“When I am in the thick of it, I really like to rely on that mantra that it is okay to simply put your head down and do the work,” said Oppman.
While Oppman has had many accomplishments and achievements from putting his head down and trudging along through the difficult journey of Wabash, the senior often unselfishly picks his head up, and offers a helping hand to the men and women around him.
Michael Abbott ’85, professor of theater at Wabash, and a fellow juror of Oppman’s in Wabash Theater’s production of “12 Angry Men,” admired a lot of his characteristics that might go unnoticed.
“Tom’s intelligence is obvious, but he’s also a deeply compassionate man,” said Abbott. “Last semester, a student in my film class was struggling personally, and Tom reached out to him numerous times before class, checking in and asking how he was doing. He did this quietly, but I noticed.”
Oppman is an independent on campus who majors in biochemistry and minors in psychology. While he was naturally interested in his father’s alma mater, Oppman was pulled to Wabash because of the old academic feeling that he felt walking across campus. Since his decision to attend Wabash and its hallowed halls, Oppman has worked tirelessly but attentively to contribute to campus in a variety of ways.
Arguably, Oppman is most recognized for his roles in Wabash theater productions, where he has given plenty of Wabash men, faculty and community members laughs, tears and smiles. Oppman has been a part of four Wabash productions: “Saturday Night Live,” “Stage Kiss,” “Something Rotten!” and just this semester, the classic “12 Angry Men.”
Oppman is also a former president of the Public Health Organization and a brother of the Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies.
Even when the spring semester ends, the senior continues to hike the tougher trail. Oppman has had three successful internships over his summer “breaks.” During one summer, Oppman worked for the St. Joseph County Department of Health and spent time observing Dr. Bob Einterz ’77, collaborating on strategic planning for a HPV vaccination. Oppman also worked in a biochemistry laboratory at the University of Notre Dame under Katherine White, and last summer he took a trip with the Global Health Initiative (GHI) to Peru and worked the rest of the summer with the Crooked Creek Food Pantry in Indianapolis. He was also a member of Professor of Chemistry Walter Novak’s biochemistry lab for three semesters and worked on designing and optimizing the LOCKR protein system.
Oppman’s resume showcases his deep interest in medicine and helping the community, two elements he plans to center his career around. He aspires to be a practicing doctor and has an interest in becoming a primary care doctor. He has applied to medical school and has already heard positive news from one of the two schools he is hoping to attend.
A star and leader on both the stage and in the laboratory, the senior admits that his combination of interests is somewhat unusual, but it is necessary for the future.
“Research is important, but it’s only so valuable as your ability to share it and communicate it with others,” said Oppman. “Our society really lacks effective science communicators, and one way to bridge that gap could be through a story, through acting and by sharing research.”
Reflecting on his experience, Oppman was frank about what he hopes current and future Wabash students will seek and prioritize.
“Embrace the community and the brotherhood,” said Oppman. “Stay humble and be connected to others. I noticed there is a unique part of brotherhood to this school, and I wanted to join it.”
Tom Oppman exemplifies how Wabash men should strive to combine their personal interests with assisting the communities around them. He leaves behind not only a legacy of success, but of humility.