As the weeks wind down, the sun grows warm and the days drag on, one thing some students enrolled at Lewis University are doing is counting the days until graduation. Finals week is approaching and stress is flaring, but the seniors at Lewis are thankful they do not have to register another semester, unless they decide to continue their education, of course.
This May will feature the largest graduating class Lewis has experienced so far- 876 students; 600 undergraduates and 276 graduates. Some students will be relieved to be finished at Lewis, and others will miss it.
Melissa Young, a theater major, attended Lewis for only two years and had only one thing to complain about during her stay as a commuter: the parking. “Since I am a theater major, 98 percent of my classes have been in the theater building, and trying to park there is a headache every day.” She continued to say that most of the surrounding parking lots were always full, which was the only annoying thing about Lewis.
She chose to come to Lewis because of its intimate campus and the opportunities she obtained in the theater program. She was able to experience being on stage and behind-the-scenes through acting, stage-managing, directing, lights, sound, props and costumes. Young has also been able to learn hands on which job works better for her.
“It’s a great feeling being on stage and being able to entertain people for an hour and a half,” she said.
Young prides her efforts as a member of the sorority, Sigma Delta, and suggests all students should join something at Lewis. “Some of my favorite memories of Lewis is Greek week when all of the social Greek organizations compete against each other.”
She also will never forget her performances on stage. Young played the mother in Leaving Iowa, Mrs. Sarti in The Life of Galileo and Mrs. Mayor in Seussical the Musical. “They were some of the best times of my life,” she said, “and I made some of the best friends that are like family.”
Another senior who will remember her experiences at Lewis is Tricia Borga, an English literature and language major. Borga came to Lewis after three years at Joliet Junior College because of its beautiful campus and location close to home so she could commute. She also received grants and scholarships.
“I really was only interested in coming to Lewis because it just felt right from the start. I liked the small campus atmosphere with the large university feel. I also wanted a Christian or Catholic school, so for me, Lewis was a perfect fit,” she said.
Borga has credited her great experience at Lewis because of the English department and its faculty. She was supported by the faculty and felt she got to her success point because of her professors. Borga is considering graduate school, and the faculty was very helpful with their advice and suggestions.
She has also worked in the admissions office during her stay at Lewis. “I love working in the admissions office because the other workers are awesome; everyone is really understanding and flexible with hours, and the work is enjoyable,” Borga said.
Borga realizes that her time at Lewis is concluding, and even though she had enjoyed her time, she will also be sad to leave.
“Working in the admissions office and growing close with the faculty of the English department has been amazing, and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye,” she said.
One experience Borga will always remember, she mentioned, was the time her boyfriend, an aviation major, took her flying over the campus and her house. “I was terrified at first,” she said, “but it was a gorgeous day, and once we got in the air, it was just unbelievable. I’ve flown in jets, but never in one of the smaller planes, and it was an experience I will never forget. We were so close to the clouds, it felt like I could reach out and touch them.”
Borga continued to explain that she always liked giving the campus tours while she was working in the admissions office. She was able to meet new people and share Lewis with prospective students. She wanted to make the students aware of how much Lewis meant to her, and that it should mean a lot to them, also.
Borga does have a few suggestions for incoming Lewis students. “Don’t sell yourself short,” she said. “You only get these opportunities once, so don’t let doubt hold you back.”
She advises students that if they have certain dreams about their experience with Lewis, to just go for it because they have nothing to lose.
Matthew Starr, a student at Lewis since 2006 majoring in political science, has greatly benefited from his years at Lewis. He was welcomed by the inspiring campus, friendly student body and personable faculty who seemed to always go out of their way to offer assistance when needed. The one factor that Starr was unsatisfied with were certain general education requirements that were unnecessary from his academic point of view, as well as a financial one.
His main reason to attend Lewis was its close location to his home in Plainfield. “I also felt more comfortable at Lewis than at any other university I visited; people seemed friendlier and more outgoing,” he said.
Starr prefers discussion-oriented classes, and the small class sizes were more ideal for him, as well. He mentioned he had never taken a philosophy course before attending Lewis, and he quickly became interested in the study. The discussion-based political science classes he enrolled in were refreshing and worthwhile. Organizations he joined helped keep him active on campus, and he got a chance to meet people outside of his field of study.
“Take advantage of everything there is to offer,” Starr suggested. “Take a class that sounds interesting, just for the fun of it because it might end up being one of your favorites. The four years at Lewis really do go by fast, and there’s no sense in looking back on them and wishing you did just a little bit more.”
Graduation is just around the corner, and for seniors, it is a whole new stage in their lives. The real world will make or break them, but their experiences at Lewis will always be in the back of their minds.
The Lewis Flyer
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