2024 Lilly Scholar Hailey Schafer

“My first year at the University of Evansville was so fulfilling! It taught me valuable lessons and helped me grow both academically and in my community. Socially, I was able to make new friends, join clubs, participate in intramural sports, and deepen my relationship with Christ. I also had the amazing opportunity to work at the Boys and Girls Club of Evansville, which made me feel more connected to the community. The job helped me to grow in my time management, as I learned how to better manage my time with academics, friends, and work. Academically, I was pushed to be resilient as I took many challenging classes, such as Molecular Biology and Organic Chemistry I. Both classes were a learning curve that allowed me to gain helpful academic skills. After the first semester, I decided to change my major from Biochemistry to Exercise Science, as I learned that I enjoyed the expansiveness of the major. As an Exercise Science major on the pre-medical track, I have gotten to learn athletic training skills and the benefits of health sciences. I am extremely happy with my decision to change my major, and I am excited to see what the following year brings!”