Amy Emerson’s Jet Life

Freshman Amy Emerson describes herself as a quiet person.

However, she certainly does not keep to herself as you can easily find her on campus hanging out with friends in the residence halls, doing improv with the Sloppy Joes, singing in Chorale or volunteering with her fellow ASC scholars.

Amy is involved in a multitude of activities on campus including (but certainly not limited to) Campus Ministry, Jets for Life, Sloppy Joes Improv Troupe, Theatre, Chorale and the ASC Service Scholarship program.

Although Emerson is an undecided major, she said she’s had plenty of opportunities to research and gain experience in anything she might be interested in. She said currently, she is thinking about studying in Special Education.

“Newman is so much more different and fun than I ever would have imagined it to be,” she said. “It’s such a great community of people who are so down to earth and nice. The teachers are passionate about what they do. It’s amazing to know I have so many opportunities to stay involved. I have so many different interests and I don’t feel like a single one of those interests has been neglected since I’ve been at Newman.”

Emerson graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita, where she participated in a lot of service as part of her curriculum. She said that receiving the ASC scholarship helped in her decision to come to Newman. However, she said that the course and the service opportunity have provided an opportunity for enrichment.

“My ultimate goal for my freshman year and every year after that is to shape myself into the best person I can possibly be,” she said. “Reading that book and being in that classroom discussing how we can do our own part in changing the world one step at a time has been so inspiring. I love that because I felt like I was furthering my goal by being involved in the community and being with other people my age.”

Emerson also found a few places in the theatre department as a member of the Sloppy Joes Improv Troupe, actress and set shop volunteer. She said she and her friends went to both the improv and theatre auditions with the intention of watching and ended up auditioning for both.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it past the first round,” she said. “But it’s been so fun. I really like the people on the team. It feels like a little family and they really encourage you to let out your weird and creative side, and I’m not really used to that. It gives you an opportunity to let out some of your creative flow and just have fun.”

She said Newman has not only given her the opportunity to try new things and expand her interests, but it’s also given her the opportunity to grow and enrich her faith life.

“Being on the Newman campus has given me more opportunities to go to Mass and have an Adoration hour,” she said. “It’s so nice to just sit there and be in the presence of God and have some quiet time.”

Emerson said she’s found a lot of opportunity at Newman that she would have not found if she hadn’t decided to live in the residence halls. She said she’s made friends and formed traditions she thinks she will carry with her past college.

“Some of my best memories have come from the residence halls,” she said. “Sometimes it’s just nice to have people to hang out with. It’s so nice being able to walk down the hall and hang out with friends and just color, or listen to music, or talk or watch movies. You don’t have to drive anywhere–you can just walk down the hall.”

Emerson said she pictured college as going to class, doing homework, going home and getting up to do it all again the next day. But she said she’s found so much more in her Newman experience.

“If you’re looking for an experience that you’re going to remember for a long time and you’re hoping to make lifelong connections and have teachers who care, come to Newman because it’s a great opportunity. You’re recognized as an individual and not seen as just another student in an auditorium of students.”