Geoff Heinzl

“Everyone cares greatly about their academics and about their fellow peers, and that creates a learning environment that I find extremely supportive and helpful.”

— Geoff Heinzl


Geoff Heinzl started out as a biology major, but after taking a French class, the classical languages department had him hooked. “I found that I could still graduate on time if I did a double major and spent a semester abroad.” Geoff says, “It was a gradual realization, but in the end I just took a chance and went for it.”

He credits Allegheny’s small, personalized classes and devoted professors to how well he was able to pick up on the language. “The professors go out of their way to help students become more comfortable with the language through live labs, setting up French tables, and having extra office hours.” Geoff also believes that the College’s atmosphere had much to do with his success. “At Allegheny I feel like I’m competing with my peers rather than against them,” he says. “Everyone cares greatly about their academics and about their fellow peers, and that creates a learning environment that I find extremely supportive and helpful.”

While abroad in Angers, France, Geoff lived with a host family and took classes taught entirely in French. “Every night I would have a conversation with my host mother over dinner,” says Geoff. “She would insist that I speak completely in French so I could practice the language. Those conversations were just as helpful and just as much a learning experience for me as my actual classes were.”

On campus at Allegheny, Geoff serves as the President of ARGO and as both the President and Treasurer of the Legion of Allegheny Gamers. He is a member of Queers and Allies and sings in the Allegheny College Choir. “I love that at Allegheny you don’t have to be in any specific group to take advantage of all the events and activities the College has to offer,” Geoff says. “Through singing in the choir, I had made many friends. I know that without music, my life here would have been very different, and I am grateful for it every day.”