Name: Laura Lester

Class: 2007

Major: Mass Communication

Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia

MU clubs, organizations, honor societies: Lector Club, Honors Program, Theatre productions (Antigone, Little Shop of Horrors, Chamber Music), Secretary of SGA, smallTalk staff writer

Sports: Cheerleading, Dance Team

Favorite thing about MU: My favorite thing about MU was the family atmosphere. Classes were small, you got to know your classmates, never felt intimidated to ask questions, you were a face to your teachers, rather than a number. Also, MU late nights and sports events brought unity to the school due to the fact that you knew almost everyone there.

Best moment at MU: Aside from walking across the stage during graduation, I think my best moment was cheering for the homecoming games at halftime. It is really neat to see all the alumni gather and have something in common with strangers – Methodist!

Favorite thing to do in Fayetteville: I really enjoyed bowling across the street. On Tuesday nights they had a great special. Aside from that I miss walking the nature trail behind campus, such a beautiful, natural sight.

Internships, independent study or other interesting academic endeavors you’ve done while at MU: While at MU I got the opportunity through the honors program to venture out and attend a summer program at Georgetown University. While at Georgetown, I had an internship with the United States Indoor Soccer Association. Aside from that, being a communications major is so rewarding because you get to produce actual works. I have so much to show from my education such as print ads, radio ads, small productions (directed and done by the students), mock interviews, mock news programs, web pages, newsletters, brochures, photography, not to mention my experience with hands on activities such as manning a real camera.

Career aspirations: I hope to make it on the big screen, not meaning motion pictures, but television broadcast. Since I was born I have craved an audience, and since I was 11 I have wanted to be a news anchor. I already have the perfect name: Laura Lester; now all I need is the experience.

Something about yourself that people would be surprised to know: Tough one…I know how to scuba dive.

Favorite movie: The Devil Wears Prada

Favorite TV show: Oprah

Favorite book: He’s Just Not Into You

Favorite color: pink

Do you prefer the beach or the mountains? both

If you have graduated, what are you doing now? I am working in Cleveland, OH at a law firm.

I was always so scared to grow up. At 16, I had an image of who I wanted to be as an adult, but I couldn’t see how I was going to be that. My experience at Methodist has shown me who I can be. Classes here are different; they are more hands-on and less about the lecture. In my communications classes, I have written press releases, produced real radio commercials and worked the lights for a television studio. In my honors program, I have read and discussed the works of the great philosophers and writers. I have done science experiments in labs with high powered equipment. My voice matters and I’m no longer afraid to use it.

After my junior year, Methodist made it possible for me to study for eight weeks at Georgetown University through the Fund for American Studies. There were kids there from all over the country. Methodist was probably the smallest school represented, but I felt like I had one up on those students. I wasn’t afraid to talk to the professors because that’s what I’m used to at Methodist. In my eight weeks in Washington, I toured the Capitol, did public relations work for a national association and met our lawmakers. I saw how big the world really is. I also saw that the things I’d learned at Methodist prepared me for a place in it.

I think Methodist University is about allowing students to grow intellectually, spiritually and socially. I have grown into a person I could only dream of when I was 16. Methodist has empowered me. Here, I’ve acquired the knowledge and the confidence to step into a leadership position in life. I feel ready.