Connection is what defines the Aquinas experience, the kind that happens not by accident, but by intention. This is the thread that runs through Aaron Hendrick’s story—weaving through his college decision, his first day at Aquinas, and ultimately his career at Stryker.

Finding His Community
For Aaron, choosing Aquinas was never really a question; it was a homecoming. His father coached tennis at the college, and Aaron grew up watching practices and attending matches. When it came time to decide where to pursue his education, the combination of playing tennis, the intimate campus atmosphere, and the proximity to Grand Rapids made Aquinas the perfect fit.

"I liked the way Aquinas felt," Aaron recalls. "The small campus, the small class sizes. That was a big draw for me." The community brought Aaron to Aquinas, and the classroom helped him find his career path.

Discovering His Direction
When Aaron began his Aquinas journey, he knew he loved math, but he didn't exactly know what career to pair it with. He initially spent some time exploring education, thinking he might become a math teacher, but after a few standout experiences with his professors, he found his path in accounting.

He emerged from Aquinas College with a double major in math and accounting, a combination that would prove invaluable in his career. One professor made a particularly lasting impression: Anthony Burdick, who taught intermediate accounting.

"That class really helped solidify that I made the right choice," Aaron explains. "He was so helpful during office hours, always open to meetings. He was my advisor, and he just really helped me feel good about my decision."

Professor Burdick imparted wisdom that still guides Aaron today: accountants shouldn't be robots. "Numbers are numbers; they don't change," Aaron shares. "But how you tell the story behind them does. Being able to understand the story and communicate it." Aquinas' liberal arts approach allowed him to draw skills from a variety of disciplines — like communication and the humanities — which help him bring these numbers to life and better contextualize them for the people around him.

Today, Aaron works as a Finance Manager at Stryker, where he's been for four years. “Everything is so related," Aaron explained. "I use those communication skills and that understanding of storytelling with numbers every day."

Campus Connection
Building on the financial and professional skills he developed at Aquinas, Aaron took advantage of many opportunities that helped him broaden his perspective and sharpen his interpersonal skills. Beyond tennis and academics, he found another role that shaped his experience: being a campus tour guide.

As a guide, he led high school students and their families around campus, and the role opened his eyes to corners of the college he might never have explored otherwise.

"Sometimes you get a little siloed. You know your routine, the buildings where your classes are," he reflects. "But as a tour guide, you really have to know a broad range of things. It was a good way to understand everything Aquinas had to offer."

Those tours also gave Aaron a front-row seat to something special about Aquinas: its leadership's genuine investment in community. He vividly remembers times when former President Juan Olivarez would step out of his office to personally greet prospective students, or when Athletic Director Terry Bocian would stop Aaron mid-tour just to chat with visiting families.

"I had students say, 'That was your president? He just popped out of his office to say hi?' And I'd say, 'Yeah, that's just who he is,'" Aaron remembers. "They're in these high positions, but they're so willing to connect. That was really unique and special."

Lessons Beyond Aquinas
The lessons Aaron took from his time at Aquinas influenced everything from his professional trajectory to his entrepreneurial ventures. His career path has been nothing short of impressive. He interned at Plante Moran during his senior year, earned a full-time offer before graduation, and went on to pass the CPA exam.

After two and a half years at Plante Moran's Traverse City office, he moved to Meijer Corporate, where he spent three years on the finance team while earning his MBA. From there, he landed at Stryker, where he continues to grow as a finance professional.

For Aaron, learning didn't stop at graduation; it's a lifelong pursuit. That spirit led him to launch Noraa, a pickleball paddle company that's been running for over three years. The paddles have even reached professional athletes. “You learn a lot in school, you learn a lot in the MBA,” he says, "but when you do your own business, you learn even more.” That spirit of curiosity is exactly what he hopes current students embrace.

When asked what advice he would give to a new student, he replied, "Get involved—whether it's a club, an on-campus job, or being a tour guide. There are so many ways to find friends and explore new interests. Get to know your professors. Meet them in office hours. Be curious. Take advantage of the small class sizes and ask questions."