When I came to Bucknell for New Student Orientation in the pouring rain four years ago, I never could’ve anticipated all of the growth that would happen, both for the University and myself. I came to Bucknell unquestioning and excited to take advantage of any opportunity I came across, and at a school like Bucknell, this became problematic quickly. As I watched all of the white disappear from my Google Calendar, I realized I wanted to focus my time on what would be best for myself and Bucknell as a whole.
This is how I found myself on the team redesigning the Title IX education for incoming first-years. Bucknell has done a 180 since we got to campus when it comes to Title IX: it has built out the Title IX office, adding much-needed support, as well as promoted the Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Advocacy Coordinator to a Director title. We also very quickly saw Public Safety evolve to become more student-focused and responsive to feedback. I see Bucknell continuing this trend of positive change, and I’m proud to see myself growing and developing, too.
Our time as the Class of 2025 has been filled with nothing but change. We were the first class to have Hall Olympics, starting a tradition that brought us closer to our first-year halls (proud Vedder Viper forever!). We revived clubs and organizations that may have been forgotten during the transition through COVID. My friends and I even added one of the three new club sports teams started in our first year that are still thriving today (’Ray Club Swim!). Our impact as a class will be long-lasting, and I am honored to have been a part of this legacy.
One of the best aspects of Bucknell is its commitment to experiential learning. I have enjoyed listening to new perspectives and providing my own through a myriad of roles on campus, culminating in being the Undergraduate Executive Intern to the Office of the President. These extracurricular opportunities, combined with taking engaging discussion-based classes, have allowed me to see the world more globally and consider situations from many different points of view.
As cliche as it is to say, my Bucknell experiences have absolutely changed me, whether that was studying abroad in Granada and living with a host family; interning abroad over the summer in Dublin; being VP of Service in MGMT 101 or engaging in incredible conversations in my Inside Out class at SCI Coal Township. The people I’ve met here will forever be a part of my life. The passion that I have continued to cultivate at Bucknell will follow me on to law school and beyond, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
