Matthew Sprenger

Matthew Sprenger ’24 came to Knox College interested in a creative writing major, but after multiple political science classes, the idea of studying law stood out to him. 

“Law is intriguing in regards to how vastly open to interpretation it can be. I enjoy being able to understand a variety of perspectives and how judicial determinations affect our lives,” he said. 

He is currently interning at the Knox County Courthouse—an opportunity made possible with the help of Assistant Professor of Political Science Thomas Bell. In his role, Sprenger spends his time shadowing lawyers, collecting evidence from the police station, meeting with clients, and attending courtroom sessions at the courthouse. 

“One thing that's nice about Knox College is you can send an email to professors, and they're very willing to work with you. I felt that I had a lot of support from the professors to help me through that experience,” he said. 

Sprenger believes this internship is enriching in a unique way, different from the traditional classroom setting. “I've learned things about the founding fathers and the laws of the United States, but working in the courthouse and with attorneys shows you how courts utilize the law,” he continued. 

On campus, Sprenger is involved with Student Senate, where he serves as a senator for the senior class. In his role, he is responsible for communicating issues and decisions with members of his class and the Senate executive body to help improve the community and spark change. Sprenger is also a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team and the Knox Outdoor Adventure Club. 

“You meet people from all different majors, all different interests, and all different skill levels. It's a really good mix of people, and it allows you to build connections with them from all sorts of different backgrounds with similar interests to you,” he said.

Sprenger hopes to continue interning in the field of law before applying to law school after graduation.