Jesslyn Roebuck

Looking back on my four years at Lafayette, I tried to choose an activity that best defines my “Lafayette Experience.” But, after writing a paragraph that cited a dictionary definition of “experience,” I started to laugh at how I made such a seemingly simple task quite difficult.

It is not my involvement in social clubs and academic activities but rather the fostering of valuable relationships with other people that defines my experience. Lafayette provides the necessary base for branching out and beginning those relationships.

I joined the Marquis literary magazine editorial staff my first year at Lafayette. I grew to love the people I met through my involvement and even though many members of the original staff have graduated, the relationships and connections I made with those people continue to thrive. Conversations, laughter, and tears shared with them have shaped my experience more than my membership on the staff.

As a member of McKelvy House, I have had a similar experience. It serves as a conduit whereby friendships are strengthened to last even beyond Lafayette. These friendships have evolved, leading to the establishment of continual discussion groups, a poetry blog that is working toward digital publication of poetry and political commentary, and a solid support base after graduation. I can immediately think of six McKelvy Scholars from my sophomore year who continue to challenge and help me grow not only as a person, but as an engaged member of society.

These are just two examples from academic classes and thesis work to extracurricular activities and living arrangements that have allowed me to meet people and interact with them in a current that runs below the surface “hi” and “how are you?” All of my friends at Lafayette are people I met through these various channels. And each time I participate in an activity or an event I learn more about not only my friends, but also about myself.

So what is viewed as an experience is not just an experience; it is an evolution of the self that continually adjusts and changes not only during the four years at Lafayette, but after graduation as well. And it is these relationships, not just the activities one is involved with, that are the Lafayette Evolution.