2020 – Theodora Beemer
The Marquis de Lafayette’s personal motto, the commonly espoused “Cur Non?”, best defines my time here on campus. Inspired by the rousing sentiment of the Marquis’ words, I set out to pursue an academic and extra-curricular agenda that would fully embrace the opportunities Lafayette has to offer.
To me, the Marquis’ words are liberating. Too often, we are tempted into unchallenging routine or uncomplicated comfort; we pursue the things we know we’re good at. Throughout my adolescence, I was afraid to attempt certain passions for fear of failure. Cur Non? is a reminder to live intrepidly, to set aside our reservations, our hesitations, and attempt the unknown. You may have heard the saying, “Do one thing every day that scares you”, a sentiment often misattributed to Eleanor Roosevelt. Similarly, motivated by the words of the Marquis, I try to do one thing every day that I’m bad at. Formerly, my desire for accomplishment caused me to conflate activities I was successful in with activities I enjoyed. My time at Lafayette has convinced me that the value of pursuing one’s interests eclipses the value of detached success.
At Lafayette, I have been encouraged to be fearlessly multifaceted. I can be a scholar and an athlete, an RA and a member of Greek Life, a leader and a listener. I’ve tightened my belt for taekwondo tournaments and buttoned my blazer for Mock Trial speeches. I’ve played music in the catacombs of the radio station and chess matches at 3 A.M. in South College. I am profoundly grateful for the breadth of experiences that have shaped me into the well-rounded individual that I am today and would challenge every Leopard—current, prospective, or alumni—to ask themselves Cur Non? more often. Your fear of failure may be preventing you from accomplishing something great.
Other Information:
Academic Activity/Award 1:
Dean’s List|3.5|I’ve earned Dean’s List commendation for all 7 completed semesters of college. Dean’s List is granted to students with a semester GPA of 3.60 or higher.
Academic Activity/Award 2:
Lafayette College Marquis Fellowship|3.5|As a Marquis Fellow, I receive a merit‐based award granted from Lafayette College to outstanding applicants. Recipients of a Marquis award display the Marquis’ ideals of global citizenship, scholarly pursuits, leadership, and concern for others. The Fellowship is valued at $40,000 per year.
Academic Activity/Award 3:
Rado Pribic Prize in Beginning Russian Language|Received May 2017|I received the Rado Pribic Prize in Beginning Russian Language, given in recognition of the student who demonstrates excellence and promise in beginning Russian language studies.
Academic Activity/Award 4:
Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society|1|In Spring 2019, I was inducted into the Lafayette College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa honorary society. In order to be selected for membership, outstanding students must demonstrate breadth in their coursework and a commitment to liberal learning
Academic Activity/Award 5:
Order of Omega Honor Society|1|I was inducted into the Rho Tau chapter of Order of Omega, the premier leadership honor society for fraternity and sorority members. In Spring 2019, I assumed the position of Chapter President.
Academic Activity/Award 6:
Honors Thesis|1|I am pursuing a senior thesis in REES advised by professor Lindsay Ceballos. My thesis examines how the construction of hydroelectric dams in the U.S.S.R during the Cold War constituted a “dams race” that fractured Soviet society along crucial lines.
Academic Activity/Award 7:
National Conference on Undergraduate Research|N/A|I passed through a rigorous internal college review process and was accepted to present my senior thesis research findings during a poster session in Bozeman, Montana in March 2020. NCUR was ultimately cancelled due to virus concerns.
Academic Activity/Award 8:
Dobro Slovo National Slavic Honor Society|.5|In March 2020, I accepted an invitation to join the Lafayette College chapter of the Dobro Slovo National Slavic Honor Society. The Society serves as a means for the recognition of academic excellence in the study of Slavic languages and literatures and provides incentive for scholarly interest in Slavic life and culture.
Academic Activity/Award 9:
Academic Resource Hub Tutor|2|I serve a Peer Tutor with the Academic Resource Hub to provide academic support for Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Level Russian language students. I provide support for students in individual, one‐hour sessions.
Academic Activity/Award 10:
Pi Sigma Alpha|.5|In March 2020, I accepted an invitation to join the Omicron Delta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. Established in 1920, Pi Sigma Alpha recognizes outstanding students in political science.
Campus Service Activity /Award 1:
Mock Trial Team|4|I’ve been a member of Lafayette College’s mock trial team all semesters of college. I encouraged the team to success at the 2018 National Tournament in Minneapolis, MN, earning the title of 12th best team in the nation. I’ve accrued numerous commendations including Outstanding Witness Award at the Austin College 2018 Kangaroo Brawl Tournament, Outstanding Witness Award at the 2019 Central Islip Opening Round Championship Series, and Outstanding Attorney Award at the 2019 George Washington Invitational. In Spring 2019, I assumed the role of Senior Team Captain, overseeing the creative and administrative operations of two ten‐person teams.
Campus Service Activity /Award 2:
Resident Advisor|3|I’ve served as a facilitator, resource, and live‐in advisor for upper‐class women, first‐year women, and co‐ed residence halls. I’ve lead communities in McKeen Hall and the Watson Courts. I submits weekly reports and updates to campus administrators. I’ve organized programs like community movie nights, Indian food dinners, and mug‐painting craft sessions.
Campus Service Activity /Award 3:
Resident Advisor Mentor/Mentee Program|2|As a new Resident Advisor, I was mentored by and connected with an older, more experienced RA. I then trained and mentored two first‐year RAs given my own experience as a Resident Advisor.
Campus Service Activity /Award 4:
The Mill Series Student Committee|1|The Mill Series invites speakers to campus that promote greater viewpoint diversity at Lafayette College in order to encourage unfettered dialogue and free exchange of ideas. As a member of the student committee, I attend weekly meetings to recommend, discuss, and give feedback on prospective speakers. I suggested and brought John Hechinger, journalist and author of “True Gentleman: The Broken Pledge of America’s Fraternities”, to campus to discuss the future of Greek Life on college campuses.
Campus Service Activity /Award 5:
Pi Beta Phi, Fraternity for Women|3|I’ve served on numerous chapter committees and attended philanthropy and chapter events. For two semesters, I’ve been on the Leadership and Nominating Committee (LNC) which selects chapter members for executive board and other leadership positions. In Fall 2019, I served as the Acting Chair of LNC.
Campus Service Activity /Award 6:
Digital Humanities Scholar|1|I was selected from a wide field of applicants to receive a research grant on a subject of choice during the summer of 2017. I conducted research on campus on disability representation in romantic media narratives. At Bryn Mawr’s Digital Humanities Conference 2017, I presented my research findings in a 10‐minute presentation.
Campus Service Activity /Award 7:
Creative and Preforming Arts (CaPA) Fellow|2|CaPA scholars receive $7,500 over four years to develop their own projects—from concept through execution—that use the arts as a vehicle for igniting dialogue on Lafayette’s campus. CaPA also sponsors campus‐wide events and brings visiting artists to campus to share their work and experiences. I’ve used my funds for camera equipment and painting supplies.
Campus Service Activity /Award 8:
XLC Day Student Committee|4|I assist the Admissions Office in organizing the annual Accepted Students’ Day which brings prospective students to campus. As a member of the student committee, we meet regularly in the spring semester to coordinate all activities.
Community Service 1:
LANDIS Center for Community Engagement|.5|During the fall of 2019, I visited with senior citizens at the Easton Area Lifestyle Campus weekly with a group of motivated Lafayette College volunteers. I also attended formal discussions with fellow volunteers on how to best combat pervasive ageism.
Community Service 2:
NGO Volunteer in Osh, Kyrgyzstan|1|During the summer of 2018, I volunteered as an administrative intern for a small non‐for‐profit community organization in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. I organized and instructed day camps for local children while serving as the primary photographer for the NGO. I taught private English lessons at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels and participated in a home‐stay with my supervisor.
Community Service 3:
Read, Lead, Achieve with Pi Beta Phi|3|As a member of Pi Beta Phi, I participate in philanthropic service events to promote literacy. Every semester I’ve been in Greek Life, I’ve volunteered with Pi Phi by going to the reading room at the Easton Area Community Center to interact and engage with young children.
Community Service 4:
Marquis Scholars and Fellows Dynamic Assessment Day Shepard|2|As a freshman and sophomore, I volunteered to be a Shepard for the Marquis Fellows and Scholars Dynamic Assessment Day. Prospective students who may potentially receive Marquis Awards come to campus.
Athletic Activity /Award 1:
Taekwondo Club|1|I practiced the Korean martial arts twice weekly for a year and eventually earned the rank of Blue Belt.
Athletic Activity /Award 2:
Sporadic Running|4|I occasionally enjoy long‐distance running and completed the Runner’s World half‐marathon through Bethlehem in October 2018.
Special Interest Activity/Award 1:
Fulbright ETA Semi‐Finalist|N/A|I am a semi‐finalist for a position teaching English abroad in Georgia through Fulbright. The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.
Special Interest Activity/Award 2:
FBI Honor Internship Program|N/A|In October 2019, I was accepted to the FBI’s Honor Internship Program for that upcoming summer. The Honors Internship Program is a 10‐week, paid internship for college undergraduate and graduate students. Unfortunately, my background check was not completed in time for me to participate in the program.
Special Interest Activity/Award 3:
Externship with Judge Hughes|N/A|In January 2020, I participated in an externship through Gateway with the Honorable Judge Richard Hughes in Wilkes‐Barre, PA. I shadowed Judge Hughes and other county judges, researched cases, and attended court.
Special Interest Activity/Award 4:
Externship with the Dauphin County Bar Association|N/A|In March 2020, I participated in an externship through Gateway with the Dauphin County Bar Association. I shadowed the Pro Bono/Public Services Coordinator, serviced clients in need, and responded to letters from incarcerated individuals.
Special Interest Activity/Award 5:
WJRH Radio|1|During my freshman year, I hosted a weekly radio show, “Post‐Aquarium Tapestry Shopping”, on WJRH 104.9, playing and discussing curated music selections.
Special Interest Activity/Award 6:
Alumni Reception at the Met|1|In September 2018, I volunteered to attend a college event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. A small group of students was transported into New York city to mingle and engage with alumni and donors.
Special Interest Activity/Award 7:
Student Meeting with Middle States Evaluation Team|1|In April 2020, I was selected to meet with the Middle States reaccreditation review team to provide a student’s insight into the current campus climate.
Special Interest Activity/Award 8:
Brand Representative at Abercrombie Kids|2|While working retail, I was responsible for a variety of duties, including working the cash register, receiving shipments, organizing back stock, outfitting mannequins, and communicating with customers.