Taylor Lawless

Hometown/State: Grimesland, North Carolina

Incoming EC Scholar Class (year): 2010

Scholarship(s) Awarded: Dowdy Student Stores EC Scholars Award

Major/Intended Major: Nutrition

Why did you choose to attend East Carolina University?

There are several reasons I chose to attend East Carolina University. One reason was that East Carolina University is opening a dental school. Since I am interested in studying dentistry, the dental school was a definite positive to me. Another reason I chose to be a pirate was the people. If you are going to be on a ship for four years, you might as well like the crew. I toured many campuses during my college search. I had it narrowed down to East Carolina University and one other school on the day I made my final decision of which college to attend. That morning my mother and I took a tour of the other school. We went on a general tour and looked around campus. That evening I toured East Carolina University. This tour was very different from the tour earlier that day. I met with two older EC Scholars and they gave me a personal tour around campus. It was very easy to make my decision that night because my decision had been made by the end of my tour of East Carolina University.

What has your scholarship enabled you to do?

My scholarship has enabled me to do many things. Because my family lives just outside of Greenville, attending East Carolina University has given me the ability to stay close to home. Being an EC Scholar also means that I am a member of the Honors College. The scholarship has given me the chance to participate in activities and classes dedicated to EC Scholars. I have had the opportunity to do various leadership and volunteer activities that I may not have participated in otherwise.

What special undergraduate research opportunities have you experienced at the university? 

Since I have only been in college for several months the only research I have had the opportunity to do has been a study of Greenville. This research was done for the class created for freshmen EC Scholars. We studied the relationships between several factors including location and economic standing. The study provided me with a new perspective of Greenville and its citizens.

What unique leadership opportunities have you experienced at the university? 

Having only been in college for a few months, I have not participated in many leadership activities. One of the opportunities I have had is working with the Honors Ambassadors. This group offers Honors students the chance to help prospective Honors students with understanding the Honors College.

What are your career plans/aspirations? 

My main career goal is to become an orthodontist. First, I plan to earn my undergraduate degree in nutrition. Then, I will apply to dental school. I am also considering using my nutrition degree to become a nutritionist.

How have you made a positive impact while you have been at East Carolina University?

One way I have made a positive impact is by volunteering with the EC Scholar freshman class at Golden Living Assisted Living home. While there, we spend one-on-one time with residents. Another way I have helped to make a positive impact while at East Carolina has been by helping the international students to adjust. Since Honors students and international students both live in the same residence hall, I have been able to meet students from many other countries. Having moved many times throughout my life, including an international move, I can relate to what they are going through. I try to help them to adjust as well as answer questions they may have. Although I try to help as best as I can, I feel like they teach me more than I teach them!