Laura Swallows

Major: International Business

Since 2007

Background: A native of Crossville, Tenn.; starting defender for the Lady Bulldogs Soccer team; Sigma Kappa Sorority; Hackberry & Oak Society; Student Government Association representative; Up 'til Dawn Executive Board member; Baptist Collegiate Ministries; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; member of the TWC Concert Choir, Spanish Club and French Club.

Fun Fact: Laura was crowned Homecoming Queen during Homecoming 2010

As a senior at Tennessee Wesleyan, I believe God blessed me with the opportunity to attend Wesleyan, which has allowed me to experience so many different opportunities that I could have never imagined.

TWC is a place where I have been able to broaden my horizons. It is a place where leadership skills and service can be learned, practiced and obtained; and I believe the prestigious amount of knowledge I have gained from TWC will guide me into my future.

The College offers its students so many opportunities to learn about different cultures and see the world. The classroom is only one option to understanding our world. I have been out of the country five times in only three years through programs offered at the College.

On holidays, such as Christmas and summer, some of the professors organize educational tours around the world. The countries that I have experienced in this way include, Mexico, Italy, Greece and Egypt. Students are able to see the historical places, as well as experience the culture in their everyday lives. For example, it is not every day that you get to ride a camel to the Great Pyramids in the Sahara Desert.

Mission trips are organized by student organizations to allow students to provide service to those in need and try to make the world a better place. The Dominican Republic and Costa Rica are two of the countries where we traveled to help build a church camp for children and take supplies needed in desperate times.

During fall break each year, TWC students take an amazing trip to Washington, D.C. It is a wonderful adventure, where we explore some of the landmarks of the United States of America.

There is a very wide variety of clubs and organizations in which students can be involved with at TWC. I have been involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Up ’til Dawn Executive Board, Hackberry and Oak Society, Sigma Kappa sorority, Spanish Club, French Club, Concert Choir and soccer. I also serve as a representative of the Student Government Association. I have been able to serve as an officer in most of these, as well as serve the community and our school. An example of service and leadership that stands out most to me is raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the College’s “Up ’til Dawn” event. Another event that allows students to interact with and serve others is TWC’s annual Homecoming, which allows all student organizations to network with alumni and their families while assisting with all of the behind-the-scenes work that is required to host such an incredible weekend.

These are only a few of the organizations at Wesleyan. All of the different organizations provide a great way to meet new people, stay involved at TWC and in the community, experience new ways to help others and become a strong leader.

It’s obvious that I could talk about the opportunities at Tennessee Wesleyan College forever. I have absolutely loved every minute I have spent at TWC and have felt so blessed throughout my three years. Wesleyan has given me the education, practice and experience to have a successful future. My horizons have been broadened to a whole new level of understanding of how so many different cultures can live peacefully in this big world and I will be able to take all my amazing memories with me as I, like so many TWC alumni have done before me, enter the real world as a prepared, educated and willing individual. I thank God so much for blessing me with the opportunity to attend the “big” TWC, where you really do “Learn, Serve, Lead … and Believe.”