College Credits: Bolingbrook Student Inducted To Pi Theta Epsilon

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Students from Bolingbrook join Carthage College's largest class

Holding new student orientation activities in person once again, Carthage welcomed a record-setting fall 2021 incoming class.

Spread across three days, the orientation schedule filled the Labor Day weekend. After moving into the residence halls, students gathered with their families for one of two community welcome sessions Sept. 4 in the TARC Field House.

"The next four years will transform you in a way you never thought possible," Ashley Hanson, associate vice president of admissions, told the newcomers. "You are now Carthaginians."

Heading toward the official enrollment count on Oct. 1, the incoming class remains on pace for an all-time best 850, with 765 freshmen and 85 transfer students enrolled as of Sept. 1. They come from 26 U.S. states and six foreign countries.

The diversity of the student body continues to rise. About 31% of this fall's incoming students report a race other than white.

Measured by GPA, test scores, and class ranking, the Class of 2025 is one of the strongest that Carthage has seen. The most popular areas of study are nursing, biology, psychology, management, marketing, criminal justice, and education.

Jordyn Kaplan '22, this year's student body president, encouraged students to take advantage of the many opportunities to learn and grow on campus. Besides Student Government, she's active in Pre-Health Club and multiple NCAA Division III sports: track and field and swimming and diving.

"My involvement will look different than the ways you get involved, and that's OK," said Jordyn, a neuroscience major from Parker, Colorado. "Each one of us will find ourselves in and part of a community that makes sense for us."

As someone who stood in their shoes just a year ago, Ayanna Crenshaw '24 offered the freshmen some tips. She advised them to set their own goals for the first year - "not what a coach, a parent, or TikTok wants you to do."

Sharing some hard lessons she learned as a young student-athlete, Ayanna urged the new students to ride out the ups and downs - and to learn from both.

"You won't always make the right choice. We all slip up in life," she said. "Hold yourself accountable for your actions, then show yourself some grace."

Dozens of returning Carthage students worked as orientation leaders, conducting small group sessions to break the ice and get the first-year students off and running.

Larger orientation sessions focused on career development, academic support services, campus safety, and belonging.

The following students are members of Carthage's records:

• Kiley Lamb of Bolingbrook (60490)
• Matthew Balas of Bolingbrook (60440)
• Alexander Kovalenko of Bolingbrook (60490)

— Merit Page News

Bolingbrook student enrolls in Lehigh University's Class of 2025

Lehigh University is proud to welcome the Class of 2025!

The members of the Class of 2025 represent 43 U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, and 29 countries, and is also one of the most diverse and competitive classes ever admitted to Lehigh.

Lehigh is thrilled to count Allyce Gaborik among the 80,000+ members of the Lehigh family.

— Merit Page News

Bolingbrook student plays a role in Shakespeare production

"William Shakespeare's Long First Play (abridged)" written by Austin Tichenor and Reed Martin, will have performances October 1-3 and October 7-10 at Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre in Romeoville. Performances are 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. In addition, there is a matinee performance at 3:30 p.m. on October 9.

Five Lewis University students perform the roles of over 50 characters. Zac Birgen of Waverly, Eduardo Cortez of Chicago, Katie Horn of Sturgis, Michigan, John Kladis of Palos Hills and Alex Schedel of Bolingbrook are all players in a traveling theatre group that perform the found play.

Ticket purchases are $13 for an adult, $12 for students and seniors. Lewis University students pay $3 with an ID. The running time of the show is approximately 80 minutes. The play is recommended for patrons 13 years and up.

— Merit Page News

Rachel Schneider honored as an inaugural inductee of Pi Theta Epsilon

Six Lewis University students were recently inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon - Occupational Therapy National Honor Society. A ceremony was held for the inaugural inductees on September 8 at Lewis University in Romeoville.

Elizabeth Carignan, Sokea Chidlow, Rachel Eriksen, Miranda Grizaffi, Nicole Santillo, and Rachel Schneider are the first Lewis University students to be initiated into Pi Theta Epsilon. Schneider is from Bolingbrook.

These inaugural inductees are among the top 35 percent of their class, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA. To be formally accepted into Pi Theta Epsilon, applicants also submitted items for evaluation by the national organization. These items include a sample of scholarly work, and evidence of scholastic recognition, publication, leadership and/or service.

— Merit Page News

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