Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering & Management
How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
Words cannot begin to express the gratitude that I feel towards the Stamps Foundation and the many invaluable experiences being a Stamps Scholar has granted me. Reflecting on my four years at Purdue and as a Stamps Scholar, I am struck by the realization that this program has enabled me to pursue my greatest aspirations and exercise my passions in so many meaningful ways. But not only that, it has ignited the flames of entirely new passions, taught me a great deal about myself, and allowed me to develop greatly as a leader and scholar. I’ve also been profoundly impacted by my access to and work with the national network of scholars. From attending leadership conferences to co-directing the first ever National Day of Service to chairing a national Stamps conference, I’ve met many of my inspiring peers and have borne witness to the incredible developments the program has made in such a short period of time.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
The greatest piece of advice I can give is to identify your purpose, find your passions, and allow them to drive your actions and decisions. How will you spend your time today? Which organizations, teams, or charities will you become involved with? How will you nurture and develop your personal relationships? These are all questions I’ve struggled to answer at some point in time. But, by allowing myself to fully accept my purpose as a Stamps Scholar, a Purdue student, a mentor, and a friend, I’ve been able to derive infinitely more meaning in every action every day. Find your passion. Find your purpose. And simply, pursue it.
Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
I think the single thing that has had the most impact on me during my college career has been my faith. It has shaped how I see myself as well as the world around me, and it has guided many of my decisions, priorities, and pursuits.
What’s your favorite Stamps Scholar memory?
One of my fondest memories is my experience at SSNC17. I had the opportunity to give one of the scholar talks, and it was so empowering to stand in front of a group of people who truly had the potential, the drive, and the capacity to take what I was saying and make a true and lasting difference in the world. After all, I believe that as leaders, we are obligated to share and utilize our skills and knowledge to develop and support the communities in which we live. In my mind, the experience was too spectacular to portray in words, but then again, it was only just a spark which ignited much greater action, innovation, and progress that will continue to be realized for years to come.
What comes next?
After graduation, I will be working in the Engineering Development Program at John Deere.
Please share your favorite inspirational quote.
My favorite “quote” is actually an entire poem, but I will only reference the final stanza.
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
-Robert Frost