Why did you choose Colgate?
I chose Colgate because it offered a perfect balance as a student-athlete with Division I athletics and rigorous academics. The opportunity to be a part of the Alumni Memorial Scholars (AMS) community was also incredibly advantageous to selecting Colgate, as I got to explore new and old interests through a variety of projects. I was attracted to Colgate’s liberal arts curriculum as I was not limited to classes within a particular subject. I felt less pressure to immediately start classes for a major, and I was able to explore various interests before declaring a neuroscience major in my sophomore year.
Luckily I got to visit Colgate a couple of times before committing, and I remember the beauty and fluidity of the campus really stood out to me. I remember talking with my dean (shout-out Dean Doug Chiarello!) in the Colgate Inn and already knowing I would have a fantastic support system. Colgate has such a wonderful community of students, faculty, alumni, and the village of Hamilton that created a great environment for my four years.
You have gotten involved in so much at Colgate. Which activity or activities mean the most to you and why?
One of the most influential experiences I had was through the Manzi Fellowship, a program sponsored by a Colgate alum for students to work with nonprofit organizations in the Boston area. My internship was at Boston Medical Center (BMC), where I worked in a substance use disorder clinic doing a combination of research and clinical shadowing experience. Through the guidance of my mentor at BMC, I presented my research findings at an internal medicine conference hosted at Brown University last fall.
My involvement with the swim team was also an impactful part of my Colgate experience. There was such a community on the swim team that I was so lucky to be a part of while at Colgate and still as an alum. Being a student-athlete is a unique experience, learning how to manage your time and responsibilities, but it also taught me valuable life lessons and brought me some of my best friends.
What is your favorite place on Colgate’s campus, and what makes it special to you?
It’s so hard to pick just one place on campus. The Colgate Chapel is such a centerpiece of campus, and it's probably my favorite building. There were always events happening at the chapel, and I remember it being one of the first places on campus where we all gathered together as a class. And of course, I also have to mention Lineberry Natatorium, where I spent so much of my time at Colgate!
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