This past weekend I was given the opportunity to sit with a group of remarkable seniors, all recipients of the Tufts University Alumni Association’s 2016 Senior Awards, and listen as the reminisced on their four years at Tufts. Not only did they remind me why I love introducing Tufts to future Jumbos, they reminded me why I chose Tufts myself so many years ago. As you navigate the pros and cons of what school will lead you to the future you’re envisioning for yourself, I wanted to share with you the experiences of a few students who only four years ago were exactly where you are now and what they think about when they consider their Tufts experiences:
The double major in Biochemistry and Studio Art with an Art History minor hailing from Illinois who completed the five year dual degree program with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in four years said that the common theme between Tufts people is passion. She added that at Tufts everyone goes out of their way to create whatever paths are necessary to ensure that both students and faculty can follow their passions.
The three time national championship runner from small town Maine said that he was grateful to Tufts for opening his eyes to the world. He’ll be continuing his studies in graduate school for aerospace engineering after graduating this May with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics with honors. Following him to graduate school for her PhD is the Child Study and Human Development major who balanced being in a sorority, on the varsity lacrosse team, and captain of the varsity soccer team while completing multiple points of research on mental illness.
The History and Anthropology major from rural India cited his mother as a role model, telling him that no matter how much you study and no matter how much you learn, nothing is more important than being a good person. His professors lauded him as a graduate level student even as a freshman, a reputation he has upheld through his numerous graduate level presentations on Bengali culture across the world. He cited the faculty as his favorite part of Tufts, saying that “professors here opened doors, not only doors to their offices, but doors to vistas of learning.”
The community organizer from Boston double majoring in Economics and Drama cited Tisch College for Civic Life as one of her top involvements at Tufts, saying that Tisch taught her how to see and speak about the world and helped her find her passion for youth activism. This sentiment was shared by the Biology and Community Health double major writing his senior thesis on the healthcare experience of African American men, a topic prompted by his work as a Tisch Scholar. Tisch was where he learned how to combine education and service to make a difference.
Although they may seem intimidating in writing, four years ago these students were exactly where you are now, juggling their thoughts between how to put on a corsage and where to spend their next four years. Meeting them you would never guess their resumes are as incredible as they are because in the end they remain the same kind, generous, and down to earth students that Tufts is full of. As they prepare to graduate, it’s your turn to take their place. At Tufts, you will be surrounded by multifaceted individuals like those I’ve highlighted, but more importantly you’ll have the opportunity to explore your interests and through the relationships formed and resources offered become equally dynamic and impressive.
To finish with a quote from another senior, an Anthropology major with minors in Music Engineering and Communication and Media Studies hailing from New York who balances being Editor-in-Chief of the Tufts Daily newspaper, assistant general manager of the WMFO radio station, and director of the Tufts Anthropology Association while keeping a 4.0 GPA in his major, “being at Tufts means being constantly humbled by your peers.”