As she enters her second to last year at The University of Olivet, rising Junior Erin Brady has been looking back at her time at Olivet. Her experiences with service and student groups and the support she found have all have a profound impact on her.
Erin is an actuarial science major and a computer science minor, and in her past two years, she has involved herself in many aspects of Olivet’s culture. She is a part of the sorority Sigma Beta, a professional fraternity named Gamma Iota Sigma, the Global Citizen Honors Program (GCHP) and an organization to support children with cancer. “Although being really involved on campus and taking advantage of opportunities has made me extremely busy, it’s only helped me grow.”
A big motivator for Erin to come to Olivet was its long history with service. “Before I came here, I heard about Olivet’s community service and how all students are encouraged to partake in service trips. This really was a big motivator for me to attend Olivet. I love helping people, and I absolutely loved hearing about service trips and the experiences people have had on them. I knew I wouldn’t get many opportunities like that anywhere else.”
Erin has been on two service trips during her time at Olivet. In her first year, she went to Tennessee, where students worked with the Morgan Scott Project — a religious group created to help deal with problems in two impoverished counties in Tennessee. “The group I was in helped build a wheelchair-accessible ramp at an elderly couple’s home,” she said. “We got to spend time with members of the community and got to understand their traditions and ways of life.”
In her sophomore year, Erin volunteered in Port Huron, a small city located on Lake Huron, with other students who are members of Olivet’s Greek organizations. “Both of these service trips have benefited me. It really puts into perspective how taking a little chunk of your time can help a whole family or community. Lending a hand can go a long way. They were both amazing experiences, and I really hope I get the chance to go on more!”
Financial aid was another big motivator for Erin. At Olivet, 100% of students receive some form of financial support. Olivet offers a variety of merit-based awards as well as scholarships offered by specific organizations on campus. Erin, for instance, is a member of the GCHP and receives an annual scholarship for her participation within the program.
Erin has also found the staff of Olivet to be incredibly supportive “One of the best parts of Olivet is personal relationships with the staff,” Erin said. “You aren’t just a number. Not only do you know your professors, but they know you and are there to help you. They get back to you so quickly, and if they can’t help, they find someone who can.”
In the future, Erin plans on working in the insurance industry as an actuary. At the moment, she is interning with Auto-Owners Insurance as a software developer.
“My advice for high school students is a motto often shared at Olivet: ‘Be comfortable being uncomfortable.’” Erin said. “My experience as a Comet has influenced personal growth in so many areas. I’ve learned to step outside my comfort zone and start taking advantage of any opportunities I come across.”
For more information about The University of Olivet, contact the Office of Admission at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
This feature was written by Bray Wright, marketing and communications student intern. She is an English major and writing minor, a scholarship winner of the Global Citizen Honors Program and a staff member of the Garfield Lake Review. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she plans on going into the publishing industry after college.