Hey everyone! My name is Tyler Dunphy from Lafayette, Louisiana, and I am a junior majoring in Political Science. Since I stepped foot on campus during Orientation, I knew that I wanted to be a Ragin’ Cajun to the fullest extent. My first priority for coming to the University was to get an education, but I also knew that I wanted to explore all that the University has to offer.
During my first semester on campus, I was elected as a Freshman Representative on the Honors Board. It was difficult making this leap into being in a leadership position, as this was a new experience for me on the collegiate level; however, it was a decision that would later greatly shape my college years. Through the position, I met many individuals in other organizations and began to uncover the multitude of possibilities that are available to students who are ready to give back to their University. I soon found myself as the Vice Chair of the Honors Board, a member of the Executive Board for Up ‘til Dawn to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and an active member, and now Vice President, of the University Program Council. All of this would not have been possible had I not made that first decision to do more than just sit in the classroom.
Taking that first step into one organization opened the doors, and my eyes, to all that the University had to offer. I felt like one organization led to another and another and so on. Last spring, I was elected as the Student Government Association’s President for the College of Liberal Arts, and I continue to seek avenues to further my involvement. I recently joined the Student Alumni Association and was chosen to be a part of the 2010 Student Orientation Staff. It does become difficult balancing homework, meetings, and all other facets of college life, but the experiences I have undergone and the skills I have developed outside of the classroom will greatly aide me in my future plans after graduation.
I have been asked numerous times why am I so involved, and my answer is always the same. The University of Louisiana will always be a part of me upon graduation, and I will always be an alumni. I want to make sure that when I go to law school, graduate school, or to look for a job, that those whom will be making the decision of whether I am accepted or denied will see that I am from the University of Louisiana and immediately have a positive outlook of me. The way to do that as a student is to not only remain focused within the classroom but to also become involved in any manner on campus such as in an organization that promotes school pride, does advocacy work for groups or charities, or aides in the development of campus policies. By serving in a campus organization, you are not only helping the organization to excel, but you are also bettering the University of Louisiana and yourself.