Emily Pavlik
Graduation year: 2015
Majors: Biology, geography
Activities: Varsity lacrosse, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Student Government Association, Sigma Pi Delta sorority, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Post-grad plans: Work in urban and city planning
Why did you choose Augustana?
Augustana allowed me to continue to play lacrosse while furthering my education.
Are you where you thought you'd be four years ago?
No. Coming into Augustana four years ago, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I liked biology and considered pre-med or pre-physician assistant, but wasn't very passionate about either of them. I took my first geography class early in my junior year and all the pieces came together.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
None of what I have done here would have been possible without the support of my parents and family. They have always encouraged me to put my best into everything that I do. I have also relied on my friends and coaches a lot to keep me accountable.
A peak experience?
One of my peak experience happened during sophomore year when the lacrosse team got its first-ever bid to the NCAA tournament. We flew out to California for the first round to play Redlands, a team that had beat us in the regular season. We had a come-from-behind, underdog win with just seven seconds left and advanced to the next round. It is one of my fondest memories of my time here at Augie, and I still get chills when I watch the game footage. What made it a peak experience was being able to share the experience with my teammates and the support we received from our family and friends, as well as the Augie community.
What did you learn about yourself in these past four years that surprised you?
I have learned to have more confidence in my work and not dwell on mistakes or failures.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used Augie Choice to go to Portugal this past winter with the lacrosse team.
What will you miss the most?
I'm going to miss the people and the Augie community the most. It's really a one-of-a-kind place.
Advice for the Class of 2019?
It's OK to not have a plan. Try new things, meet new people and make sure you're having a little bit of fun every day. The plan will write itself.
"Emily possesses the unique ability to always maintain a positive attitude towards life. Over the past three years she has become a well-rounded young scholar dedicated to excellence in all aspects of life. I will miss Emily as a person and a scholar. However, I am excited to watch her continue to grow, challenge herself and contribute to the world."