David Frederick

David Frederick is is a Junior University Scholar from South Brunswick, New Jersey, who concentrates in Psychology and Moral Philosophy with minors in Child and Family Studies and Great Texts, alongside an undergraduate certificate in Jazz Studies. He lives in the Honors Residential College (HRC), which he considers one of his many homes away from home. David crafted his major to create a comprehensive undergraduate child psychology degree, balancing the science of the mind with Great Texts and Moral Philosophy, while treating jazz as both an irreplaceable life skill and a favorite hobby.

On campus, David serves as a co-chair of the Spiritual Life Committee in the HRC, is a member at FBC Waco where he serves on the College Student Leadership Team and as a worship leader, sings as a member and accompanist for the BRH choir, and leads worship for an online International Student Fellowship with ACA Avadi ministries. When not studying, he loves playing ping pong, engaging in philosophical discussion, jamming out on the piano, and worshipping with friends.

His favorite reading list book was Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud because of the philosophical implications of Freud’s work on social psychology and its challenging nature against a Christian worldview. For his thesis, David hopes to explore the intersection between modern child-centered perspectives on parenting and its impact on an individual’s views toward their own parenting styles. After graduation, he aspires to pursue a graduate psychology program, a Child and Family Life Educator certification, and a career in child and adolescent psychological counseling.

Reflecting on the college experience, David shares this advice with new students: “College is just jazz improvisation (not a joke). You come in with an idea, an expectation, a melody. You meet people who do the same. But truly great things only happen when you take the time to respond, to build off, and explore these new perspectives - to improv. Without it, there’s really no point to the undergraduate experience. So, when in doubt, jazz it up.”