Elizabeth Walker
March 23, 2016
By Emma Alexander, Honors Communications Intern
Our student spotlight this week is Liz Walker, a freshman studying English/Pre-law and Acting from Fishers, Indiana. When asked about her future aspirations, she began with humor, but quickly delved much deeper.
My plan right now is to graduate on time (I haven't walked under the Bell Tower so hopefully I'm headed in the right direction!) and continue on to law school after. When I was younger, my family worked with an organization called Safe Families, a kind of "foster care" program that gives help to struggling families without putting their children in the actual governmental foster system. In the time we worked with this organization, I really was able to see the devastation of poverty on the family unit, children especially. These glimpses into the lives of the underprivileged opened my heart for the families, and I knew I wanted to make a difference. My goal in going to law school is to practice family and/or poverty law someday in order to help families in these kind of situations. The real dream is to work with adoptions, in order to give children a home and to encourage woman who are unsure about having a family that there is a safe, loving option for the children they may not be ready for.
Liz was also eager to express just why she chose to attend Purdue as a liberal arts student.
I came from a small, private high school environment and was ready for something new by the time graduation came around. I knew without a doubt that I wanted to study the liberal arts, so when I chose Purdue, most people were shocked and confused. There are two main reasons [I chose Purdue]: I wanted a big, spirited environment as well as an academically rigorous one. Purdue offers me both. I love the school spirit-- football games, despite our many losses, are my favorite!-- and everyone here puts studies first. Because I am in the liberal arts college, none of my classes are above 25 people, so I get one-on-one access easily with renowned professors in the field. I do not regret my decision to come to Purdue- it was the best decision for me without a doubt.
On and off campus, Liz is involved in many organizations. She shared some of these involvements with me.
I am involved heavily with the Purdue branch of Navigators on campus, as well as my learning community. Navigators is my favorite on campus activity. It's a Christian group on campus that has really strengthened my faith and given me a strong community on campus that really cares about me. It's where I've found some of my best friends! Off campus, I am involved in the Lafayette Civic Theatre, which takes up most of my time. I also volunteer at Indiana Legal Services.
Of course, the Honors College has also been a significant part of Liz’s on campus involvement. She explained that it has been her learning community in the Honors College which has truly changed her experience at Purdue for the better. She expounded on the subject further.
I am a part of Dammon Dean's Scholars, a Honors liberal arts learning community. This group is so tight knit, and we do so much together. I have found my lifelong friends in this group, and I love them all dearly. I even found my roommate for next year in this spectacular group of people! Because we're all liberal arts, we obviously have common interests, and we hang out all the time. We also go on lots of trips which have brought us closer together. I am a strong believer that shared common experiences is what builds strong friendships, and this is what my learning community has done for me. Chicago trips, the Indy Symphony, struggling through philosophy class, rogue Christmas parties, movies nights- all of these things have strengthened our bonds of friendship. I love these people and am looking forward to my next four years with them. In addition, having strong friendships makes studying that much more beneficial. I enjoy our late night study sessions. They push me to work harder, while still loving me for who I am. I'll be sad next year when the learning community disbands, but I am positive the memories we've created this year will carry us through the next three. Without the Honors College, I wouldn't have this group of amazing people in my life!
Liz is clearly making the most of her experience at Purdue thus far, and we know she has a very bright future ahead of her. Good luck Liz, and keep up the great work!
You can check back each week for a new spotlight on another outstanding Honors student or peruse our previous featured scholars.
