2021 Stabler Donor Impact Report R4

- d BUSINESS Name: Malik Wahidy Hometown: Sylvania, OH Major: Economics Class: 2023 Favorite activity: South Asian Students Association Favorite faculty or staff: Professor Marie-Helene Chabut, French Dream job: Prosecutor I am inspired to excel at Lehigh by my drive to find something that I am passionate about. Most people come into college thinking they have to know what they will do for their whole lives after graduation, but recently, I’ve discovered that’s not true. I came in as a finance major, and two years later, I will be graduating with a double major in finance and economics with a minor in French. I have plans to attend law school, and I didn’t have that plan a year ago. I came into Lehigh thinking I would work somewhere related to investments in the financial industry, but here we are. Without the drive to seek what I’m passionate about, I would have no inspiration to excel. My favorite professor is Professor Marie-Helene Chabut. She teaches French in the department of modern languages and literature, and I am currently taking her class called Contempo- rary France. I wish that I was able to take more than just one course from her because there truly is so much to learn from her. The thing I love the most about the French department is that it’s very small, so every class I’ve taken has had no more than 10 students. Within a month of starting each semester, I already feel like I know the professor beyond what a normal lecture is like. I took this class as a way to fulfill my last credits needed for my minor, but I come to class every week looking forward to what I have to learn from Professor Chabut. She gives us the opportunity to learn about France and its history in our own way. We get to choose what aspects to focus on based on what we feel passionate about, and she creates an amazing environment for students to learn. To me, giving back means putting forward the same opportunities that you were given. I was given a myriad of opportunities through various Lehigh programs, whether that is in terms of financial aid, academic experiences, or anything else, and I want to do the same for other students coming to Lehigh with aspirations. There are so many clubs, organizations, programs, and funds that have allowed me to take full advantage of the Lehigh experience, and without them, I would have a mundane college experience. I am taking full advantage of the generosity given to me. Growing up in a low-income household, you never see the cycle of being low income ending between parents and kids. However, it’s opportunities like this that allow families to break the cycle. Thank you.