Student Spotlight: Louis Delaby
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: German
Hi! My name is Louis Delaby, and I am from Carmel, Indiana. I'm studying Biochemistry and minoring in German. Purdue was the right choice for me because I wanted a prestigious, academically rigorous environment where I could connect with high-performing students and grow together.
I chose to major in biochemistry because I’ve always been captivated by biology and chemistry, particularly after taking a physiology class in high school where I could see how these subjects work together in such fascinating ways. Biochemistry felt like the perfect combination of everything I enjoyed, plus I knew it would provide the rigorous foundation that medical schools look for. Purdue's program specifically appealed to me because it's housed within the respected College of Agriculture, the smaller department size of biochemistry means you get genuine one-on-one time with professors, and the undergraduate research opportunities are outstanding.
The Honors College attracted me because I wanted to be part of a focused community of motivated students from different backgrounds. During my campus visit, I was astounded by how engaged and active everyone seemed, the variety of opportunities and experiences available was enthralling. In general, it was the sheer number of opportunities for growth and self-discovery that drew me to the JMHC, I saw it as a melting pot that was the best place for me to develop myself into who I wanted to be.
My experience here has exceeded every expectation I had. Joining the John Martinson Honors College has honestly been one of the best decisions I've ever made, primarily because of the incredible people I've met and worked with. The community aspect is remarkable—you're surrounded by students who are ambitious but also genuinely kind and supportive. The professors in honors courses bring something special to their teaching, and the mentorship and leadership development opportunities have pushed me to grow in ways I didn't anticipate. What I love most is how the Honors College transforms Purdue's large campus into a tight-knit community where you can build meaningful relationships.
I stay pretty involved around campus—I serve as co-president of COBALT, president of the Heart Club, vice-president of ODK, and Food Finders Co-chair for HonorServes. I'm also a group leader in BEI and conduct undergraduate research in the biochemistry department. My career goal is to attend Vanderbilt Medical School and eventually become a cardiac surgeon.
What I've found most meaningful about my time at Purdue is recognizing that we're all navigating similar challenges and experiences together. Whether we're stressed about exams, excited about new opportunities, or just trying to figure out this whole college thing, having a community of like-minded people to share the journey with makes everything more worthwhile.
To prospective Honors students: the key thing to understand is that the honors experience isn't automatically handed to you just because you're accepted. The opportunities are presented to you, and there are more than you can count, but you have to be proactive about engaging with them and creating your own experience. If you're willing to step up and take advantage of everything the program offers, you'll find that it can provide a college experience unlike any other.