·'0, ,0 ~~ ·0" . '." . ./ 0 .' Senior uses overseas experiences as motivation IE very year, Harding faculty nominated students for the Who's Who . Among America's College Students award.This nomination was based on GPA, classroom performance and extracurricular activities. Senior Amanda Royse, from Upper Arlington, Ohio, was one ofthe 70 selected to receive the honor. Royse,a biochemistry and molecular biology major, knew that she wanted a career in medicine since her senior year in high school. "} went on a medical mission tripwith my father and saw the impact that the people working in health care can have," Royse said. "I've always been interested in science and how the body works, but my perspective changed when 1 saw how it could change lives.When 1 started at Harding,1 decided to pursue medicine." But Royse's time at Harding was not only focused on her schooling; she still found time to pursue other interests. Royse was a part of H arding's orchestra and string quartet for four years and played in two of Harding's homecoming musicals. She was also a lab assistant for two chemistry classes, a member of women's social club Pi Theta Phi and a violin teacher at the Searcy Community School ofMusic. In the summer of2006, Royse was able to go to Harding University in F lorence for three months, which she said was one of the best experiences ofherlife. The fo llowing summer, Royse participated in a medical evangelism training program through Health Talents International, an organization working in Guatemala. "The evangelism training involved a six-week stay in Guatemala, including language school, living with local fam ilies and working over 100 hours in medical and dental clinics," Royse said. During her travels, Royse found motivation to continue in her dreams to become a doctor. "I think that being able to cross language and cultural barriers as a physician will be essential to serving my patient9"'health needs effectively and sharing the message of Christ," Royse said. "My travels have raised my awareness to medical needs, both domestic and international. I want to commit my career as a doctor to serving those needs." Through all ofher activities, Royse still managed to maintain an above-average CPA. After graduating in May 2008, Royse planned to start medical school in the falL Although she did not expect it to be easy, she knew that, throughout her time at H arding, she was being prepared for funtIe challenges. "I believe that my time here at Harding has prepared me academically for medical school, but, more importantly, I believe that it has showed me how to incorporate faith into all aspects ofmy life," Royse said."I expect that medical school will be very challenging, and I hope that through it all 1will be able to maintain a focus on serving people in a way that honors Christ." IrI:rrd1 Warel Senior biochemistry and molecular bioi· ogy major Amanda Royse isolates DNA in the Biology Resource Lab in the Pryor– England Science Building Feb. 12. Royse was one of 70nomi– nees to receive the Who 's Who Among America ' s College students award. IJorotOOn lr,d,oyJ [alpha c hi/who's who] 239
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