2012-Matthew Grandon

First Major:      History
Second Major:  Spanish
Minor:             Women’s & Gender Studies         
300 Word Statement

Prior to arriving at Lafayette, I made a promise to myself that I would achieve three goals by the end of my undergraduate career, and be able to say: I constantly explored and challenged my own beliefs, I developed pluralistic perspectives of the world, and I continually gave back to my community. Towards that end, I involved myself in a diverse set of courses, programs, and activities that forced me to grow and mature as an individual. Whether being an Orientation Leader, an Admissions Ambassador, serving as President of Student Government, developing the Peer Advising Program, or volunteering in downtown Easton, I consistently tried to take advantage of the many opportunities available to make a difference here at Lafayette College. I learned that by involving myself as a leader and volunteer the needs and concerns of others were of the utmost importance, and I wanted to help! By being active in organizations and utilizing these opportunities to bring about positive change, I was fortunate to meet and work with many amazing students, faculty members, and administrators, all of whom have left an indelible mark upon me. These friendships will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

The Marquis de Lafayette described his educational experience in the following manner: “I read. I study. I examine. I listen. I reflect. And out of all this I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can.” Coupled with this sentiment, it is the unselfish giving of one’s time and effort to the advancement of learning and community involvement which defines the Lafayette ideal. I sincerely hope I have been able to, in some small way, repay this incredible community for providing me with a wealth of knowledge, valuable experiences, and a passion for continuous service to others.

 

Academic Activities

• Dean’s List    4
  Named to the Dean’s List for achieving a GPA of at least 3.60.
• Sigma Delta Pi    3
  Inducted into the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society as a sophomore for demonstrating excellence in the fields of Spanish and Latin American Studies. As a junior, I was named president of the Lafayette chapter and have organized and coordinated chapter events, led the annual induction ceremony, and established the chapter’s first website.
• First-Year Peer Advising Program    3
  Developed in conjunction with the Office of the Dean of the College, I have served as the Student Coordinator for all three years and developed the goals for the program in addition to creating the framework for coordination between peer advisors and incoming First-Year Students. Additionally, it was my responsibility to compile annual evaluative reports and assessments of the program which were then presented to the Dean.
• ATTIC Peer Tutor   1
  Served as a tutor for history (History 213 & 214) during my junior year. Each semester, I would meet with students individually for about an hour a week to review major thematic concepts and help facilitate beneficial studying strategies.
• Phi Alpha Theta    1
  Inducted into the national history honor society on behalf of my demonstration of excellence within the field of history.
• Frank Kline Baker Spanish and Latin American Civilization Award    1
  Awarded annually to students who attain the greatest proficiency in the study of Spanish and Latin American Civilization.
• History Club    4
  As a member of history club, I participated in bi-weekly discussions pertaining to major historical debates and current scholarship.

 

Campus Activities

• Student Government    2
  Served as President, Student Organizations Chair and Co-Chair of the Standing Budget Committee. During my first year on Student Government, I sought to ensure that both open and positive methods of communication between student organizations and Student Government existed in addition to facilitating organization leaders with event planning. While on the Budget Committee, I aided in the restructuring of the budget process to allow for a healthier dialogue to occur between Student Government and its recognized organizations. During my second year, I served as President. In this capacity, I worked to strengthen the community in the face of the acts of racial and ethnic intimidation, to promote and increase the student voice, and to re-establish confidence in Student Government. To help facilitate those goals, I met with the Director of Student Life Programs weekly and President Weiss monthly.
• Residence Hall Council    3
  Served as the Executive Board President and Secretary during my junior and sophomore years respectively, and as co-president of P.T. Farinon during my first year. Through each of these capacities, I worked to provide quality programming initiatives for individual buildings as well as for the campus generally. Having arranged meetings with representatives from Dining Services, Plant Operations, and the Facilities Planning & Construction Office, RHC was able to provide quality feedback that prompted changes in meal plans through the use of Pard Card dollars, increased the respect for plant operations through Custodian Appreciation Week, and improved the implementation of the Master Plan through focus groups. Additionally, I coordinated communication with other campus organizations and departments, namely LEAP and Plant Operations to facilitate improved recycling in all buildings and the first dorm energy usage competition.
• Orientation Leader    3
  As an orientation leader, it is my responsibility to help members of the first-year class adjust to life at Lafayette College. I provided both guidance academically and socially to help First-Year students take advantage of the available academic and mentoring opportunities at Lafayette. I also co-initiated the annually successful OL/RA collaborative event at the Spot.
• Advisory Committee on Institutional Assessment    2
  Selected to serve as the student representative as a sophomore. Provided input on how to best assess student educational learning. The committee is charged to serve as a centralized and formal mechanism through which each division of the College can collect and share its contributions to the achievement of the learning goals for students as stated in the College’s mission.
• Lafayette Leadership Education Committee    2
  During my first year on the committee as a junior, I facilitated the event-planning process of the annual leadership conference designed for emerging student leaders in addition to designing and presenting an educational session on how to effectively start and manage an organization. During my senior year, I helped to plan and organize another conference for the advanced student leaders, and was chosen as a selection committee member to interview the new prospective members of the committee. The goal of this committee is to create and provide opportunities for Lafayette’s student leaders to acquire and develop important life-long leadership skills.
• Campus Climate Working Group    1
  Served as a student representative. Drafted recommendations which built on the success and address the challenges at Lafayette for the committee, based on the responses from the Campus Climate Survey data.
• Block pARTy Committee    3
  Selected as the student representative, it was my responsibility to secure financial support from Student Government, to provide input on food selection, and to help organize, spread awareness, coordinate and encourage student organizations to develop an art-inspired craft or performance for the event.
• Admissions Ambassador and Tour Guide    2
  Managed the reception area and facilitated the tour schedule. Coordinated the interview schedules with the directors of Admissions and aided with data entry into Banner. Led tours of prospective students and parents throughout the campus. Hosted prospective students who wanted to witness the activities and classes for a day and have an overnight experience.
• Trustee Committee on Student Life    1
  Served as the student representative. Represented the student body as well as offered a student’s perspective on issues to the Trustee membership. Gave quarterly reports on the latest activity in student life.
• Civility Project Team    1
  Advocated for and presented creative ways in which civil discourse could be strengthened and promoted across all demographics of the Lafayette community. The Team is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of civility in all situations and advocating for a healthier standard of communication.

 

Community Service

• Lafapalooza    3
  For the past three years, I have participated in Lafayette’s National Day of Service painting local businesses and beautifying the Easton community.
• No-Name Community Outreach Project    2
  I was an active participant in weekly Saturday round table discussions which included and was driven by residents and leaders of the Easton community wanting to brainstorm creative ideas and incentives to increase and improve the town-gown relationship. The discussions often regarded contemporary issues affecting the nation, the Easton community, and the Lafayette community.
• Pards to People    2
  As a member my first year, I became involved with facilitating programming endeavors that encouraged interaction and dialogue between members of the Lafayette community and leaders from the Easton community. During my second year, I served on the executive board, and co-facilitated the organization of several large-scale community dinners which were located at several Easton restaurants. In one instance, Mary Jean Eisenhower, the president of the international People to People organization was present to support the university chapter.
• Green Move Out    1
  Served as the student volunteer coordinator for this program during my first year.
• Easton Main Street Initiative Volunteer    2
  During the summers of my first and sophomore year, I volunteered at several Main Street Initiative events including the annual Pet Parade and the Farmer’s Market.
• Single-Event Landis Programs    3
  Committed to service, I have participated in several significant single day Landis Programs during the last three years which have included: Literacy Day, Make A Difference Day, Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.

 

Athletics

 

Special Interest

 

• Fellow, Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership & Civic Engagement    1
  Selected as one of 50 accomplished college and graduate student leaders from around the world to learn from global experts how to be an effective, ethical, and innovative leader. Mentored by several global leaders and engaged in discussions on the elements of successful leadership. Tasked with the responsibility to address the lack of sustainability efforts within the City of Pittsburgh and the ten southwestern Pennsylvania counties through comparative research and the creation of an implementation plan for the nonprofit group, Sustainable Pittsburgh.
• Divisional & Departmental Search Committees    4
  Served on a variety of search committees within the Division of Campus Life, most notably for the following positions: Dean of Students, Coordinator of Facilities Management and Evening Events, Assistant Director of Student Life Programs, and Assistant Director of Residence Life.
• Voices of Experience Panelist    2
  Served as a panelist to help advise and provide guidance to incoming first year students about adjusting to college life and becoming fully involved in the Lafayette community.
• Senior Class Council    1
  As one of ten students, I was responsible for helping to plan and raise funds for senior week activities. Additionally, I was responsible for securing the senior speaker, Frances Hesselbein.
• Lafayette Leadership Institute    2
  In my first experience as a first year student, I attended the conference on Leadership in Transition and learned how to manage changing leadership scenarios. In my second experience, I helped to plan the junior and senior conference dedicated to evolving leadership and the ability to utilize one’s transferable leadership skills post-graduation.
• Campus Community Awareness Programs    4
  Throughout my time at Lafayette, I have dedicated myself to providing the campus community with a variety of significant programming endeavors that enrich and expand individual awareness and perspectives. Towards that end, I have co-organized and facilitated the development of campus-wide programs which include, but are not limited to: the Valentine’s Day-Dinner Dance, Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Week), and Earth Jam(nesty).