2013-Samantha Jordan

Samantha Jordan

Major: International Economics and Commerce 
300 Word Statement

I am amazed whenever I flip through the Lafayette magazine and read profiles of our students.  How is it possible that I could sit next to someone in class everyday and not know that they had implemented water filtration systems for earthquake victims in Haiti, or taught a Bangladeshi community about arsenic poisoning?  I am always so impressed by my classmates, and I am happy to contribute my own accomplishments to the Lafayette community of students who wear our school’s name with pride and bring recognition to our amazing institution.

For excellent examples of students who represent the “Lafayette ideal” all you have to do is look at the bios of all the Pepper Prize nominees.  We have all been successful in the classroom, in our community, and in a variety of campus activities.  While I have accomplished many of these benchmarks, in many ways they are just that, benchmarks.  The Lafayette ideal cannot be captured by a list of accomplishments.  The ideal Lafayette student is dedicated to the community and the broader society.

The most important lesson I have learned is that although I have a desire to make a difference in the world, there are no easy solutions to multifaceted problems such as poverty.  Due, however, to the liberal arts education I have received at Lafayette, I appreciate other points of view, and can collaborate with others.   I grasp that there is no singular “best” approach to these issues.  I am excited to take the next step as I go on to graduate school and prepare for a career with the State Department in the Foreign Service.  I will always be grateful to Lafayette because without this degree program, the athletic department, and amazing mentors I met here, I would not be on my way to a bright future.

Academic Activities and Total Years Involved

• National Conference of Undergraduate Research    1
  This year at NCUR 2013 will present research paper entitled ‘The Symbolic Politics of the Veil: The Role of Politicians in the Construction of Modern French National Identity.’
• Phi Beta Kappa    1
  Elected to the national honors society for demonstrating both breadth and depth of liberal learning and academic excellence.
• Sigma Iota Rho, International Affairs Honor Society    1
  Elected to the national honors society for demonstrating excellence in the study of international affairs.
• Omicron Delta Epsilon, International Economics Honor Society   2
  Elected to the national honors society as a junior for demonstrating excellence in the study of economics.
• Dean’s List    4
  Qualified for the Dean’s List based on GPA from Fall 2009-Fall 2012.
• Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Recipient    1
  Awarded as a junior to cover the costs of graduate study and to prepare for a career in the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer.
• Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management Program    1
  Participated in a highly competitive one-week management training program for rising college seniors designed to increase diversity and opportunity in business education as well as to introduce students to HBS.

 

Campus Activities and Total Years Involved

• Student Athlete Advisory Committee    2
  Act as a representative for the Women’s Basketball team in matters concerning student athletes.  Help organize community service events such as the annual SAAC 5K and efforts to increase fan turnout for sporting events.
• College Fed Challenge    1
  Conducted extensive research regarding the U.S. macro economy, the Federal Reserve System and the implementation of monetary policy and financial stability.  Helped present a policy prescription during the Fed Challenge Competition.  The 2012 team was a national finalist.
• Lafayette College Peer Adviser    3
  Selected and trained by the Office of the Dean of the College to confer with accepted and incoming students regarding course registration and academic life at Lafayette.
• Otis Ellis Scholar Athlete Award Recipient    1
  2012 recipient of the award granted annually to a successful varsity athlete who has achieved an outstanding level of scholarship.
• Writing Associate (WA)    3
  Competitively selected and trained as a Writing Associate to assist a professor and work with up to 20 students throughout a semester to hone their writing skills.

 

Community Service and Total Years Involved

• Organizing for America Barack Obama’s Grassroots Campaign    1
  Served as a volunteer by conducting door-to-door canvassing, voter registration, calls to other volunteers for assistance with the campaign, and calls to undecided voters.
• Relay for Life of Lafayette College    3
  As Head of the Fundraising Committee, developed, organized and implemented plan to raise funds for cancer research. Raised over $30,000 in two years for the American Cancer Society.
• Paxinosa Elementary School    1
  Volunteer every week at the local elementary school and assist 2nd grade students with reading, writing, and math skills.
• SAAC Annual 5K race    3
  Have participated and helped run this annual 5k race to raise money for Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research.
• Basketball Clinics for Local Girls Basketball Teams    4
  Participated with Lafayette Women’s Basketball team in efforts to engage the community by helping young aspiring basketball players with basic skills during short clinics.

 

Athletics and Total Years Involved

• Lafayette College Women’s Basketball    4
  3 time nominee to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.  2 time Coca-Cola Player of the Game.

 

Special Interest and Total Years Involved

• Study Abroad Paris, France    1
  Studied Intermediate French Language and Culture while residing with a French family in Paris for six weeks.
• French language    3
  Studied French language at LC up to the Advanced level.