Thursday, August 31, 2017
I was a 24 year old freshman at Cortland with braces terrified to smile in public. It didn't help that I was usually one of only a few male students in almost all of the classes I attended. Accompanied by other social-anxiety issues, I figured although I love learning, I don't think I can make it under these circumstances. I would spend hours studying in the library alone. Avoiding classmates, professors, etc...Over time I would recognize other students that would study at odd hours, or on weekends or around holidays which was inspiring to me. They were taking their education seriously on a campus where the culture suggested otherwise. That being with an emphasis placed on athletic prestige instead of academics. I thought, these students are special, determined, committed. Because of Lauren's smile, she stood out the most to me. When I would think, no one will be here (in the library) until closing..."finally I have this floor to myself," I would turn the corner and see her with all of her study materials as if she had been there for twice as long and not nearly as mentally fatigued as I was. (Which was true)...So determined...It made me feel so good to know there are students here kind of like me. Regardless of the fact I was an older student in a different stage of life... we can relate..I started modeling my study habits after her after we were introduced by Leo. (Notecards, colored markers, scheduling, etc...) I remember being a little jealous because she was left-handed and her writing was so pretty. The first time we met was playing ping-pong in the Shea Dormitory.
Without really knowing, she helped me reach the President's and Dean's list multiple times. That was so important to me because I was obligated to keep a GPA minimum of 3.7 or I would lose grant and academic scholarship funding. Her ability to do so well academically while being social left an impression on me forever. I only hope I can measure up to the high standards she always placed on herself. I owe her so much. So thank you again.
