2011-Ting Chiu

 

Ting Chiu

Major:   English                                                      

Minor:   Psychology

Thesis:  Linguistic discourse and its role in philanthropy (Case study of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

As a little girl fresh out of high school, I came to college expecting that I would find the answers to pave out the rest of my life. It seemed clear to me at the time that the next four years would go like this: a-couple-of-good-CLASSES-leads-to-a-MAJOR-which-leads-to-me-developing-a-main-INTEREST-which-leads-to-a-CAREER-that-would-just-perfectly-match-those-interests. This is, of course (I am sure many of my classmates agree) an extremely simplified version of what does and should happen during our four years at Lafayette. I have come to believe that the “Lafayette Ideal” is not so much about chasing answers as it is about taking advantage of opportunities to ask of myself, others, and society all the right questions.             

The liberal-arts learning environment at Lafayette has encouraged me to ask a question that has shaped my college years: how can I apply the skills and experiences I get on campus to what is beyond college hill? Through participation in the Economic Empowerment and Global Learning Project (EEGLP) Team, I have learned that training in writing, reading, and communication I gain as an English major has important application in public policy and public interest. I am able to be outward-looking because of the meaningful opportunities and experiences I have had on this campus such as EEGLP, Technology Clinic, Lafayette Activities Forum (LAF), and a Business Affairs Internship at the Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI).     

As I begin shaping a career in public policy, I will continue to live by the dynamic questioning process that I believe is the “Lafayette Ideal.” I thank everyone who has contributed to my incredible four years here, and for making this campus a true community where I can push my own limits and imagine how I might be able to contribute what I can to situations and lives around me.

Academic Activities and Total Years Involved

• Economic Empowerment and Global Learning Project (EEGLP)    (2)
  Participated in all EEGLP development projects in New Orleans, Easton, and Honduras with a special focus on the former two. I was EEGLP student captain my junior year.
• Technology Clinic    (1)
  Member of a selective interdisciplinary group that conducts research on energy efficiency used toward retrofitting a solar-powered golf cart and examines development opportunities that accompany the product
• Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA): Junior Summer Institute (JSI)    (1)
  Summer 2010: Participated in a 7-week public policy fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson School (Princeton University), a direct continuation of the interests I formed with EEGLP.
• EXCEL Scholar, Department of Engineering   (1)
  Summer 2009: Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to study the role of economy, culture, and society in Malaysian rural water access
• English Departmental Award: Gilbert Prize    (1)
  Recently awarded the Gilbert Prize by the Department of English, which is given “to students who have demonstrated superiority in English.”
• Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) Conference    (1)
  Represented the EEGLP team at CGIU in April 2010. Prepared project report for CGIU that was especially recognized at the conference.
• Honors Thesis    (1)
  Completing a senior honors thesis examining the role that lingustic discourse plays in philanthropy. Thesis title: “Constructing the Philanthropic Subject: A Study of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”
• Psi Chi: Lafayette College Chapter of the Psychology National Honor Society    (2)
  Active member
• Dean’s List    (4)
  Recognized on the Dean’s list for every semester to date

 

Campus Activities and Total Years Involved

• Lafayette Activities Forum (LAF): Executive Board    (1)
  Served (2) positions: “Issues & Culture Committee Co-Chair” and “Special Events & Recreation Committee Co-Chair” for the fall and spring semester of junior year, respectively.
• CARE Committee    (1)
  Joined and stayed on the Committee during fall semester ’09 when I was in charge of planning “Sex Week” (an annual week-long series of events and lectures dedicated to sexual awareness/education).
• Calculus Tutor    (1)
  Spent two semesters as an active Calculus Tutor for the Lafayette campus, helping either individuals or small groups

 

Community Service and Total Years Involved

• Governor Wolf Center Project    (1)
  An EEGLP project that has special implications for the city of Easton, highlighting its art, history, and culture
• Tutoring at the Northampton County Prison    (1)
  Spent one semester tutoring female inmates in math and writing
• Tutoring for aftercare    (1)
  Spent first semester of freshman year helping middle-school children with homework after school in Easton

 

Athletics and Total Years Involved

• Yoga    (1)
  Was active member of yoga classes at the Kirby Gym for 2 semesters

 

Special Interest and Total Years Involved

• Special Collections at Lafayette College’s Skillman Library    (1)
  Works in the Special Collections Department of Skillman Library, where I handle material relating to interesting alumni and the school’s history
• Business Affairs Intern at Lafayette College Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI)    (1)
  Spent one semester as Business Affairs Intern at EPI, focusing on marketing initiatives (particularly those that highlighted EPI’s commitment to diversity on cultural, racial, and social levels)
• Voice Lessons    (1)
  Took private voice lessons for one semester at the Williams Art Center