MEGAN MATTHEWS Hometown: Chester, NJ College: College of Arts and Sciences Major: Behavioral Neuroscience Describe one of your proudest accomplishments. My most incredible accomplishments at Lehigh were during my semester in Ecuador as part of the Lehigh Launch program. Getting accepted into the program has been a huge source of pride for me, but there is something lifechanging about spending the first semester of college in another country. Stepping out of the plane in Quito, I spoke zero Spanish. Halfway through the semester when we stayed in the Amazon rainforest, I was able to interview our indigenous guide about his own experience with different cultures as well as the flora and fauna around us completely in Spanish. This semester was more than just cultural immersion; it was a profound perspective-changing experience. Lehigh’s strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, is built upon the notion that “The way forward is not yet defined. The future is ours for the making.” How do you intend to make your mark on campus and beyond? The mark I want to leave on campus is one of genuine compassion. Lehigh cares deeply about the well-being of the students, which has set a beautiful example for how I want to be. However, compassion must extend on a smaller scale. It is one thing to have a bold show of kindness by announcing a new project in a mass email, but it sure says a lot about a community’s culture to see how many students will hold the door for another or be a shoulder to cry on for a friend when there is an exam tomorrow morning that they need to study for. I want to challenge the notion that compassion is only worthwhile when it is publicized and that every man must be for himself. To foster a future of compassion, I aspire to lead with compassion — every day and on every scale. A message from Megan: Thank you for everything! Because of your contribution, I was able to go to Lehigh rather than not go to college. I was able to afford the Lehigh Launch program and live in Ecuador for four months, an experience that has changed my life and worldview. I have loved every minute of being in classes. Because of your contribution, I am doing neuroscience research in the Babcock Lab, looking at neurodegenerative diseases. My lifelong goal, which this experience has propelled me towards, is to one day help to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. I cannot express how much this scholarship has made a difference in my life. I’m not sure where I would be without it. Fun Fact: My favorite musician of all time is Noah Kahan.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==