FINALIST - 2005

Alexis Siemons When I look at the names of the previous winners of the Pepper Prize, the students do not seem to all fit into a certain category. Clearly, the “ideal Lafayette student” is not a product of a cookie cutter mold. I believe that I am not a result of a such a mold or that I stay within established boundaries, but rather I have tried to create change on campus via founding organizations like S.P.E.A.K. and promoting leadership on campus as the Lafayette leadership intern. I truly believe that it is necessary to challenge fellow students at all times to foster growth. A person that truly represents the Lafayette ideal is someone who does not try to be something, maintaining a specific title, but rather someone who actually does something on campus to create change. Not to sound clichéd, but actions do speak louder than words, and I think I have followed that saying as I push myself and those around me to their potential. I feel as though I am a student not just known by my titles or names of organizations, but rather for my actions, my efforts, and my contributions to campus. My various musical involvements have pushed me to be a vocal member of the Lafayette community with an interest in developing communication between students and faculty, which creates intellectual discussion through such new initiatives as the creation of the DVD for this year’s incoming freshman class orientation. It is essential to expose oneself to a variety of experiences within the community in order to learn from others around you. I have tried to follow the latter statement, involving myself in various organizations from volunteering to EXCEL research, to being a WA, etc. The Lafayette ideal is someone who does not just assist in change, but truly feels the desire to better the community. The Lafayette experience has left me with a great appreciation of not merely the end result of project, meeting, or organization, but the execution, the process, the ride, the thrill and excitement of enriching yourself and those around you.

 

Major: Communication in Culture (self-designed major)
Degree: B.A.

Academic Activities/Awards:

• Phi Beta Kappa (4)
• Gilbert Prize: Awarded annually to students who, in the judgment of the Department of English, have demonstrated superiority in English. (3)
• H. MacKnight Black Poetry and Literature Prize. Awarded annually to the student who submits the best poem or group of poems in a contest conducted by the Department of English. Judged by poet, Mark Doty.(4)
• Dean’s List (1, Spring 2, 3, 4)
• Writing Associate for Professor Reibman. Assigned to a class to work with every student on their written work. Participated weekly in required and rigorous staff meetings. Helped students formulate tough questions about their own writing. (2)
• EXCEL scholar with Professor Robert Saltonstall Mattison on “six contemporary artists mid career” (Ursula von Rydingsvard, Ann Hamilton, Jane Hammons, Andy Goldsworthy, Bill Viola, and a photographer yet to be chosen) for his fifth book. Responsible for gathering information from journals, websites, and books. (3)
• Technology Clinic. Created an automobile tour on CD to boost tourism and local awareness of historical assets in rural areas of Northampton County. Researched the areas, interviewed individuals, wrote the scripts for the CD, recorded it, and produced it for the Greater Nazareth Council of Governments. (2,3)
• Published in Marquis Literary Magazine (1,3,4).

Campus Service Activities:

• S.P.E.A.K. Founder of the organization S.P.E.A.K. (Students and Professors Engaging in Active Kommunication), permitting interaction across disciplines to create a more unified intellectual community. Organize monthly gatherings for faculty, students, and deans to discuss an article from various print media. (4).
• Orientation DVD Selected member/student representative to assist on committee with administration, faculty members and dean of studies that will develop DVD for incoming freshman regarding Art Spiegelman’s comic text, In the Shadow of No Towers. Organized student groups to be interviewed for DVD. Interviewed students. Met with students who filmed interviews and helped to structure DVD. (4)
• Lafayette Leadership Education intern. Selected as sole student leader of a committee comprised of junior and senior students, administrators, and faculty who plan a comprehensive schedule of leadership offerings each year, such as the Lafayette Leadership Institute, an award-winning one-day conference that educates student leaders. Lead the planning of conference during the year and over interim and create/run lunchtime discussions. Administer the Hoff Awards program, which recognizes students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members for outstanding service and leadership to Lafayette. (3,4).
• Personal Note-taking Assistant. Provided notes/class information for students with special needs. (2).
• Committee for College’s Art Gallery. Student member. Assisted with choice of artists for galleries in Williams Center and Williams Visual Arts buildings (2,3,4).
• Senior Class Fund Drive. Assisted with funding process for Senior Gift. (4).

Community Service Activities:

• Volunteer Floor. Member of the living group comprised of individuals with an interest in helping to enrich the community of Easton. Volunteered 20 hours per semester along with monthly service projects. Served as publicity chair, where I was responsible for creating advertisements for volunteer events for the floor and for the campus-wide community.(2).
• Communities in Schools. Served as a mentor and math tutor to students in 5th, 6th, 7th grade at Shawnee Success Academy in Easton. (3)
• Third Street Alliance-Women and children's shelter. Assisted in childcare. Helped to organize enriching activities for children such as arts and crafts, story time, and other games. (2)
• Child Care Assistant. Assisted teachers with children. Played with children and assisted with homework and group activities. (2)
• Adopt a Grandparent. Visited residents of Gracedale nursing home providing companionship. (1)

Athletics:

• Club Lacrosse (3)

Special Interest Group Activities:

• Lafayette College Cadence-Female a cappella group. Member. The group performs at many special events on campus. Served as graphic design chair, whose responsibilities included creating advertisements for concerts and designed covers and titles of CD. (Received award of runner-up best soloist in International Collegiate A Cappella Championship, Spring 2003).
• J.A.M.M. Student organization of musicians. Created original songs with group of student musicians and performed at on campus events such as Fringe Festival (4).
• Literary Society. Member of group of students that gather with cultural visitors on campus to continue intellectual discussion outside the event. (3,4)
• Jazz Band. Vocalist. Performed with jazz band at year-end concert. (3)