Just a Small Town Girl, Living in a Literary World

From Loyola's Campus 

Growing up, I was always a huge reader. Instead of playing with Legos or Barbie dolls, I chose board books. My parents even like to joke that I came out of the womb holding a copy of Pride and Prejudice. So it was hardly a surprise to anyone when I said I wanted to study English in college. But beyond that, I had no idea what I was looking for in a university. Little did I know, my new home was right in my backyard.

My favorite thing about Loyola is the community, plain and simple. In line with Loyola's Ignatian values, the university's sense of community is undeniable. Unlike some of my friends who attend larger state colleges, I can always spot a friendly face (or ten) around campus. Even being from Maryland, living away from home for the first time, this has always filled me with so much warmth and comfort. A smaller student body also translates to smaller class sizes; I am grateful to have real relationships with so many professors and faculty.

What makes Loyola's Evergreen campus unique is also its student body. When I first came to the university, I was introduced to the idea of "cura personalis," a phrase which means "care for the whole person." Although academics are an important aspect of the college experience, Loyola encourages students to grow in all aspects of their being, including physical, social, psychological, and spiritual. As a result I have had the opportunity to take classes in political science, philosophy, theology, and art while pursuing a degree in English and Communication. And outside of my coursework, I have been able to continue old interests—performing with the Evergreen Players Theatre Troop—and grow new passions—becoming a first-year student leader and forming the Loyola English Literary Society.

Evergreen Student Leaders

I am so grateful for the opportunity to receive a college education, and even more grateful to be somewhere that prioritizes myself as a student and a person. Loyola's education extends beyond the classroom, and into the surrounding community. Living in Baltimore and attending a predominately white university instills in me a responsibility to educate myself on the history of the place and people I am surrounded by. Throughout this upcoming semester, I look forward to the opportunity to explore more about our beautiful city!