Emory University Campus Life

Today is just another beginning! To our graduates, we’re so eager to see what’s next in store for you!

Stay curious and stay connected, ‘23 graduates! We are here for you in your continued journey.

To our Class of 2023 graduates, we’re so excited to see where your next chapter leads you! The world is your oyster.

Here are few words of wisdom and advice we wish to impart before you leave.

Managing Anxiety in the Moment
Experiencing anxiety, panic or feeling overwhelmed is quite common (and often a rational response). If you are feeling anxious, take a moment to focus on your breathing. Slow, long breaths can help you return to a calmer state.  
  
Next, here are some exercises to help ground yourself in the present.  
 
Remember support is always available for you at Emory. Visit counseling.emory.edu/services/get-started.html to learn more. (Link in bio.)

So proud of our Barkley Forum Eagles, Grace Kessler and Eugenia Giampetruzzi!

Debate partners Grace Kessler (left) and Eugenia Giampetruzzi finished the season ranked as the second best collegiate debate team in the country.

Giampetruzzi won the Top Speaker award at the National Debate Tournament for the second consecutive year, becoming the first woman to repeat for the honor.

Them : Who wore their boots with the fur at the Dooley's Week Concert?
Answer: ME.
We had so much fun jamming and dancing with Flo Rida on McDonough Saturday Night! Thank you Lord Dooley (and SPC) for bringing him to Our House.

This year’s Commencement speaker will be Anthony Ray Hinton.

Mr. Hinton is an extraordinary advocate for criminal justice reform, having spent nearly 30 years on Death Row for a crime he did not commit.

Upon his release from prison in 2015, Mr. Hinton widely shared his story of survival, persistence, injustice, loss, and hope.

We can’t wait to hear his words of courage and wisdom this May 8th!

“During high school and the first year of Emory, I struggled with making friends. I wasn’t all that outgoing. As a senior, I can now say that I’ve established my communities, including Emory EMS (Emory Emergency Medical Service). EEMS equally prioritizes care during an emergency, as well as preventative care. It's our way of interacting with the community before something happens. Outside of EEMS, I also volunteer with Project Downtown Atlanta - another community that has embraced me. When I was a freshman, I remember seeing a flyer for them; they are an organization that prepares meals for the homeless. I used to enjoy volunteering and doing community service in high school, so I wanted to join. When I attended my first event, I didn't know anyone in Project Downtown Atlanta. We were just there, spreading peanut butter over bread, and I was talking to the person next to me and to the person across from me. Although I didn't know anyone initially, I found myself easily conversing with other members. Throughout my time on campus, I've become even more committed to the club, and now I'm the associate director! Thanks to volunteer opportunities, I feel closer to the Emory community.”
-Derek Villanueva 23C

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“Most of my support system in Atlanta has been the people that I graduated with. The Black students in my class through the Association of Black Public Health Students are extremely close. A lot of us still talk and hang out regularly every weekend. The reason why our bond is so tight is because we were never put in competition with each other. Rollins really gave me my community here.”
-Autumn McNeill 22PH

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We are excited to share that Kristina K. Bethea Odejimi will be joining us beginning June 1, 2023 as our new dean of students and associate vice president for belonging, engagement and community! We are confident that Dr. Odejimi will pave the way forward for our students and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Senior Annika Urban has broken Emory history as being the first athlete to win a Individual National Championship!

Urban established a new NCAA DIVISION III Indoor Championship record of 4:43.17

Eagles

“When I first arrived on campus from the UK, I told myself I was just going to stay within the walls of Emory, but then I went off campus with friends and I've had some of the best memories. For example, we went out for a meal with a big group of people, and the food was amazing! I even went to a concert, which I’ve never been to before and I really enjoyed it! I got to meet people, and it was really fun. I've never pushed myself like that before. Before I split my time between school and football (soccer) training, and that was it. But now to be out and exploring with friends, is quite cool. Getting out more and off campus has contributed to my growth.”
-Malia Wakesho 26C

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Emory University Named February Recipient of NCAA Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative The Emory University was selected as the recipient of the NCAA’s Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative for the month of February.

“Initially, I didn't think I could be a leader but this year and the previous year, I've taken on several leadership roles, especially in my programs and student organizations. I've become someone people turn to for advice, and I didn't think that I would ever be that person. I've learned that I am probably a stronger person than I thought I was. I’m becoming a more confident scientist, presenter, and someone who knows the body of work and literature behind my projects. I’m starting to hit my stride as a scientist and become the sort of person that I hoped I would become academically. I can see myself eventually leaving Emory as a scientist and being self-sufficient elsewhere, which is exciting.”
-Emily Hill 2019 PhD

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“As a Political Science major, I've always wanted to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer to help people like my parents. Watching issues like the Afghan refugee crisis of 2019 and 2020 and also what's happening with the Russian and Ukrainian crisis affects my mindset on a day-to-day basis, because I'm motivated by the idea of helping people who are in similar situations. My parents escaped the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and just hearing their stories and their struggles to be able to come here. Understanding the persecution they left to enter the prejudice they face here is something that has been a constant battle for me to try and accept as an adolescent once I finally grew conscious of what that meant for my parents and how hard that battle must have been. Seeing that 40-some-odd years later that the world is in a very similar political place, arguably even worse but just in different climates and places around the globe —motivates me to want to continue studying. To be able to help those who don't have the same opportunity as us here in the states.”
-Matthew Somekh 24C

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“At Emory, I most enjoy photography and dancing. I recently became a campus photographer, and it's been really fun because I've been able to attend more school events. As a member of Emory's official dance team, E-Motion, it's fun to have dance as an outlet because I spend a lot of time working in the research lab or studying, so it feels good to ground myself through dance.”
-Rose Danuser 25C

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“I'm a big advocate of self-care. For my self-care, my favorite thing is running at Lullwater. That is Heaven on earth to me, running that little loop. It’s crazy to me that there's a lake and trees on campus! The fact that on campus, there are all of these academic buildings here and people running around with their backpacks going from class to class but you cross the street, and you feel like you're at a national park. It’s so refreshing for me to have that at the tip of campus, to escape from the to-do lists, the busy schedules, and to have a mental and physical break.”

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“In my community, my support system right now would mainly be my friends. One of which I knew before I came to Emory, and she's been a strong support system. Her name is Chinememma. We both attended secondary school in Nigeria. It's funny because I didn't know we were both coming here until we got to campus. She applied early decision, but I applied regular decision, so I was happy to see a familiar face from home.”
-Oyinlola Olawoye 26C

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ICYMI: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS (again) MY FRIEND!

Our amazing Swim & Dive team brought home another UAA Championship for the 24th consecutive time. We could not be more proud of our Emory Eagles!

“Something near and dear to me is swimming! I took the PE 112 and 212 courses with John Petroff and Cindy Fontana, the varsity swim coaches, and ever since, I have not stopped swimming. I swim because it keeps me calm. I'm comfortable. I can hear my own thoughts in the water. I can go at my own pace, and no one's telling me what to do. The water is autonomous, and it allows me to do whatever I want. That's why I love swimming!”
-Julius “Jules” Pugh 24C

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We have extended our Healthy Minds Study until February 10!! You still have a chance to give your input (and be eligible to win $500 in prizes!) until tomorrow. Check your Emory email for the link to the study.

“Debate was my favorite activity in high school, and I feel like I learned so much from it. It helped me learn how to better communicate and how to properly form an argument. Debate gave me the opportunity to learn about so many important issues and topics, and I always knew I wanted to continue my engagement with it in some capacity. The Atlanta Urban Debate League immediately seemed like a great way to do this, and pairing debate with community engagement is the perfect combination for me.”
-Darby Osborne 26C

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“I grew up in North Carolina, so growing up in the South in a relatively small area was hard for me to explore the person I am in the LGBTQ community. Here, I'm able to get more comfortable with being myself. In terms of my personal life and my identity, I am able to more freely and openly express myself, and explore my gender identity and sexuality.”
-Rebecca Urato 23Ox 25C

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The Healthy Minds Study is a step in the right direction for better serving you, our students! Check your email inbox for the link for the study. Every participant will be entered for a chance to win $500 in prizes! Your voice has impact.