2011-Rachel Ingber
Rachel Ingber
Major: Mathematics & Economics
Thesis: The Economics of Gift-Giving and the Holiday Helpers Program
From the moment I arrived at Lafayette, I knew I was home. The strong academics, multitudes of activities and welcoming atmosphere make it the perfect fit. I have always strived to live each day to the fullest, drawing connections between different aspects of my life and creating meaningful relationships, while giving back to the community. I knew my time at Lafayette would be no exception. To make the most of my short time here, I whole-heartedly became involved in all facets of Lafayette, truly exemplifying the Lafayette Ideal.
Embracing the interdisciplinary culture at Lafayette fuels my love of learning and drawing connections. This atmosphere allows me to work closely on research projects and my thesis with professors in different departments, intertwining their knowledge to help me grow. By combining academics with my involvement in many campus organizations and activities over these four years, I have discovered what is important in my life. It is imperative to bring people together and develop meaningful bonds, while being open and compassionate to all. We all have gifts and talents just waiting to be discovered and recognized, and it is up to us to utilize these gifts to help make a difference in our world.
Lafayette has become my home, filled with wonderful people who have become my family. Representing the Lafayette Ideal means embodying everything that Lafayette has to offer, leaving no stone unturned. I have had the most fulfilling, life-changing college experience because I reached outside of my comfort zone, tried new things, met new people and affected change at Lafayette. It is an incredible honor to be nominated for this prestigious award. By being considered representative of the Lafayette Ideal, I could not imagine a more perfect way to end my time at Lafayette, leaving my mark on my second home.
Academic Activities and Total Years Involved
- Senior Thesis (1)
My senior thesis in the Mathematics & Economics departments is titled “Gifts, Gift Cards & Deadweight Loss: Using the Holiday Helpers Program to Improve the Economic Benefit of the Holiday Season.” I am examining holiday gift satisfaction as well as the economic efficiency of gift cards and the holiday season, using the Holiday Helpers Program to do so. I am analyzing the ability of the Holiday Helpers Program to increase society’s benefit from holiday charity programs and decrease utility loss in gift-giving. By studying the program’s improvements, I hope to create a procedure for other schools and organizations to follow in order to develop beneficial programs at their respective institutions. - Excel Scholar Program (2)
I assisted an Economics professor with his research project titled “Integrating Agent-Based Modeling and Life-Cycle Analysis to Enhance Environmental Policy – Shipping Pallets.” Specifically, I researched the shipping pallet market and wrote computer programs for mapping specific locations in NetLogo using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The project culminated in an Interdisciplinary Research Series presentation in economics and computer science. - Social Research Social Justice Undergraduate Conference (1)
I presented research from my senior thesis at this conference earlier this month. This conference provides a forum for research pertaining to issues of social justice, both contemporary and historical. - Phi Beta Kappa (1)
I have been a member of this National Honor Society since Spring 2010. - Omicron Delta Epsilon (1)
I have been a member of the International Honor Society for Economics since Spring 2010. - Pi Mu Epsilon (2)
I have been a member of the National Mathematics Honor Society since Spring 2009. - Marquis Scholar (4)
From freshman through senior year I have been a part of the Marquis Scholar program. - Dean’s List (4)
I have been named to Dean’s List from Fall 2007-Spring 2009 and Spring 2010-Fall 2011. - Peer Tutor (1)
I tutored current students in various mathematics courses. - Actuary Club (2)
I was a member of this club for two years; I attended speakers and presentations by professionals in the actuarial field as well as learned about, studied and prepared for the actuarial exams.
Campus Activities and Total Years Involved
- Landis Community Outreach Center Staff & Coordinator (3)
I have coordinated the programming at Third Street Alliance, specifically the Moms at Third Street Program, organized various tutoring programs in the Easton Area School District and executed the Holiday Helpers Program, a holiday gift-giving program providing gifts to over 300 women and children throughout the Lehigh Valley each holiday season. Most recently, I have served as the Landis Coordinator, acting as a liaison between the ProStaff and Program Coordinators, assisting with paperwork and timesheets and helping to plan and organize staff meetings and retreats. - Marquis Players Executive Council (1)
I serve as Public Relations chair for the Marquis Players. I maintain our group’s website, publicize all of our events and shows through various forms of media, reach out to area schools and businesses advertising our show and asking for support, help coordinate our group’s fundraising efforts as well as assist in creating both our show’s Playbill and tickets. - Hillel Society Board Member (3)
I served as first year liaison, hosting welcoming activities for first year students at Lafayette. Additionally, I served as social action chair, coordinating Hillel’s philanthropy and community service events. I attended and planned weekly board meetings, dinners and monthly brunches, events for students on campus and programs with other college Hillel societies. - Delta Delta Delta Continuing Education Chairman (1)
I continually educated sisters about our chapter’s history as well as sorority business. In addition, I served on our Officer’s Training Council, assisting officers in planning and executing events, while acting as a resource for them, as well as serving as a bridge between Delta Delta Delta and the Lafayette community. - Lafayette Ambassador Committee (1)
I help coordinate the Lafayette Ambassador Program, including weekly tours, special events and prospective student visiting days and open houses. - Lafayette Ambassador Tour Guide (3)
I give campus tours to prospective students and their families on a weekly basis. - Lafayette Ambassador Overnight Host (1)
I hosted prospective students overnight, providing them with information about Lafayette and helping them to make their college decision. - Levy Hillel Leadership Award (1)
I was honored with this award which is presented to one outstanding Jewish student leader each year at Lafayette, Lehigh and Muhlenberg. - The Order of Omega (2)
I have been a member of this honor society for two years and was selected for membership based on leadership abilities and involvement in extracurricular activities, both inside and outside of the Greek community.
Community Service and Total Years Involved
- Easton Area Middle School Tutor (1)
I tutor fifth and sixth grade students at Easton Area Middle School twice a week. These students have been identified as at-risk because either they or their parents are involved with gang activity. Therefore, I serve as not only a tutor, but as a positive role model to these children. - Delta Delta Delta Philanthropy Chairman (1)
I organized all of our chapter’s community service programs and philanthropy projects, including an annual pancake breakfast and letter-writing campaign. I assist our chapter in raising over $20,000 annually, primarily benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. - Girl Talk (1)
I created and organized this Landis program. Girl Talk provided a safe space for all kinds of discussion with women in work-release from the Northhampton County Prison. We met as a group weekly and discussed various topics of interest, created art projects and used music to bring us together. - Boys & Girls Club Tutoring (2)
I tutored children from the Boys & Girls Club of Easton in various subjects on a weekly basis, serving as a mentor and role model for the children. - Aaron O. Hoff Volunteer of the Year Award (1)
I was honored with this award for significant contribution to the Lafayette community, specifically regarding my community service initiatives. - Make A Difference Day & Lafapalooza (4)
I have participated in Lafayette’s Days of Service all four years. I have organized and led service projects, served on the planning committee and volunteered in the community. - Moms at Third Street (1)
I volunteered at and coordinated this Landis program where volunteers would go down to Third Street Alliance and spend time with the women and children there. Specifically, we would provide supplies for the women to create scrapbooks and photo albums of their families. Additionally, we would bring different campus groups and speakers, that were of interest to the women, to Third Street Alliance to spend time with us there. We also held a some special events for the women and children each semester, such as a Spa Night, Halloween Party and Holiday Party. - Literacy Day (3)
I have participated in this program for 3 years, where Easton children come to Lafayette for a day centered on reading and learning. We spend the day as a buddy to one or a couple of children, participating in activities and projects with them throughout the day.
Athletics and Total Years Involved
- Lafayette Dance Company (SynchroMotion) (3)
I have been a member for 3 years, participating in dance classes throughout the year in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and Broadway, culminating in a recital each spring.
Special Interest and Total Years Involved
- Marquis Players (4)
I am a member of Lafayette’s Student-Run Charity Theater Organization, performing a musical each spring, with all proceeds donated to local charities, including the Dan O’Neil Memorial Fund, Third Street Alliance, Safe Harbor, Turning Point and Habitat for Humanity. - Diabetes Medic Alert Bracelets (5)
I purchase supplies for and create Medic Alert bracelets for deserving children with juvenile diabetes at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. These children are unable to afford these necessary, and often life-saving, bracelets, so they can now receive them for free from their social worker at the hospital. I have brought this project to Lafayette with me and have organized groups of Lafayette volunteers to make these bracelets, at events such as Make a Difference Day. - Relay for Life (4)
Each year, I fundraise and participate in this event to support the American Cancer Society and the education, prevention and treatment of cancer. I have served as team captain and have led the fundraising efforts for various clubs and organizations around campus.