2014-Rose Bayer
Rose Bayer
300 Word Statement
Empowerment is the Lafayette ideal. I believe empowerment triggers growth and inspiration. Developing and spreading empowerment has led me to successes and failures, and given me the confidence to pursue any goals.
This year as the student representative on the Board of Trustee Educational Policy Committee, I took action to improve Lafayette in a new and different role. I’ve examined our strengths and weaknesses by listening to diverse opinions and bridged student-trustee communications. Additionally as President of the Hillel Society, I’ve learned that collaboration is the heart of empowering leadership. Hillel practices extraordinary aspects of one religion that also links Judaism to the many other faiths on our campus to help connect our community.
Since freshman year, I’ve shared my passion for learning by volunteering at the Easton Area Middle School (EAMS). Each day, a different aspect of my Lafayette education helps me empower students, while they unceasingly teach me with their stories and questions. This passion and shared empowerment has traveled with me to communities around the world. During interim 2013, I tutored refugees from Darfur at an international orphanage in Israel, using skills I acquired at EAMS and Lafayette. I brought back inspiring ideas to Lafayette for improving our own tutoring programs.
Lafayette teaches us that curiosity empowers limitless discovery. With this spirit, I undertook an innovative project with a professor, developing case studies that demonstrate applications of biochemistry to medical scenarios. Through my independent neuroscience research, I’ve examined treatments for Parkinson’s disease in an unprecedented manner. Formulating novel experiments taught me how to sift through the vast scientific literature and exchange intellectual inquiries.
Our Lafayette education is a tool of empowerment. To make a difference, we must question, share and take action. I am ready to face new challenges, pursue new initiatives and impact our world.
Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved
Advanced Research (Dr. Elaine Reynolds) 2
I’ve helped design and performed experiments regarding epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease in a Drosophila melangaster model. I presented a poster at the Society for Neuroscience conference 2013, San Diego, CA. I am currently examining the effect of antioxidants on a genetic fly model of PD.
Biochemistry Case Study Project (Dr. Justin Hines) 1
We are developing case studies for students at universities throughout the country that demonstrate applications of biochemistry through medical scenarios.
Psi Chi National Honor Society 2
Inducted into honor society for academic achievement, in spring 2013.
Dean’s List 3
Fall 2010, Spring 2013, Fall 2013.
Campus Service/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved
Student Representative on Educational Policy Committee of Board of Trustees 1
I attend and participate in Educational Policy committee meetings and offer the student perspective.
Hillel Board Member (President, Vice President, First Year Liaison) 4
President: Planned and ran weekly board meetings, guided board members, facilitated campus wide programming and organized multiple Hillel events per week. Vice President: Assisted the President with initiatives and campus programming and advised board members. First Year Liaison: Recruited and welcomed new members, organized and coordinated new member programming.
Interfaith Council 1
Represented Hillel in collaboration with leaders of other campus faith groups and Reverend Hendrickson, to organize campus wide interfaith programming.
ATTIC Peer Tutor 2
Tutor students in organic chemistry, biochemistry and neuroscience.
Hoff Awards Committee 2013 1
Served on the committee that chooses from the nominations, the winners of Lafayette’s highest honors.
Organized/generated campus wide events 4
Interfaith Celebration of Weddings, Alpha Gam Week, Landis education events and speakers, Holocaust Remembrance Week: Freshman year I led a diverse student group in facilitating an interactive Holocaust museum in the Marlo Room that over 200 students attended.
Community Service – Total Years Involved
Easton Area Middle School 5/6th and 7/8th grade tutoring 2
Tutor students in all subjects, provide homework help and study skills.
Landis Staff Member for A Place 4 Us Tutor/Mentor Program 1
Initiated and developed a new branch of the program to tutor and mentor students with academic and/or behavioral issues in 7th and 8th grades and served as the program coordinator.
Volunteer at Yemin Orde Youth Village (Israel) 1
Tutored students from Darfur in English at residential school for orphaned and high-risk children.
Modes of Expression Volunteer 1
Mentored at-risk students in the middle school by using arts and crafts to foster positive energy.
Pre-Orientation Service Project 1
Participated as a first year in the Kids in the Community program.
Helped plan Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 1
Organized lectures and events, informing students in different ways about related issues, and motivating the campus to help people in need.
Super Sunday Phone Fundraiser for Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley 2
Make phone calls to raise money for local families in need.
Jewish National Fund Alternative Spring Break 2014 in Israel 1
Volunteered with a group in Northern Israel over spring break to clean up the land, work in community gardens and paint low income houses.
Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved
Lafayette Club Lacrosse 2
Competed in a league against nearby colleges.
Special Interest – Total Years Involved
University of Connecticut Summer Fellowship Program (Farmington, CT) 1
Participated in clinical shadowing and laboratory research on bladder cancer and I scrubbed in to observe various operations.
Laboratory Intern, Dr. Zhenyu Yue Lab, Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY, NY 1
Researched mutations of genes related to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease.
Alpha Gamma Delta 3
Alumni Relations Coordinator: I was responsible for maintaining communication with chapter and local alumni and planning events to strengthen connections on campus. Vice President of Campus Relations: I was responsible for coordinating programs and communication with all campus organizations and served as the chapter’s voting delegate to Panhellenic Council.
Be The Person Leadership Conference 1
Selected by faculty as the college’s representative. Trained by RESPONSE ABILITY Project in bystander intervention, leading and developing college organizations and spreading meaningful social and behavioral changes. I spread this information on campus by faciliating meetings with several deans, faculty and campus leaders to initiate programming.
Posse Plus Retreat 2013 1
Participated in the retreat with a theme of class, power and privilege in America, which expanded my intellectual, academic, societal and social horizons. It entirely reshaped my views on socioeconomic statuses and the different roles of values and wealth play in peoples’ lives.
Campus lectures, brownbags and events 4
Over the years, I’ve attended and participated in a variety of programming which has shaped my education beyond the classroom: Interdisciplinary academic lectures, Madame de Lafayette series, Black Heritage Month events, music and art performances, Interfaith events, etc.
Emergency Medical Technician Certification 1
Boston University EMT Course completed 2013. I will work as an EMT next year in Jerusalem, Israel as an intern for the Israeli Red Cross (Magen David Adom).