A native of Cross Lanes, Lauren Volk will graduate this May with a degree in English/secondary education. She was recently named to the Order of Augusta, the most prestigious West Virginia University student award.
Volk is an Honors Foundations Scholar, having completed the Honors Foundations program. She and other scholars will be honored during a special ceremony on May 11.
While at WVU, she served as lab manager for the West Virginia Dialect Project and conducted research comparing the dialects of urban and rural high school students in the state and how the perceptions of those dialect differences affected educational experiences. Volk was also a Presidential Student Ambassador, vice president of Mountaineer Mentors, senator at-large in the Student Government Association and a speech and writing tutor for the Eberly Writing Studio.
After graduation, she hopes to find a full-time teaching position for middle school English/Language Arts in Monongalia County. In the future, Volk plans to pursue= a master's in educational administration with the goal of becoming a principal.
Share with us one of your most impactful Honors College experiences.
My most impactful Honors College experience was the Adventure WV trip I took with the Honors College before I started my freshman year. I met new friends, spent time with friends from high school, and got to try so many new things, including rock climbing and white water rafting.
What is your favorite memory of your time at WVU?
My favorite memory of my time at WVU is going to basketball and football games with my friends and family. The atmosphere of the fans is incredible, and there is nothing like tailgating with friends and then singing "Sweet Caroline" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads," with thousands of other mountaineers.
What are your points of pride, accomplishments or the skills you developed that you are proud of most?
My accomplishments that I am proudest of are being a Neil S. Bucklew scholar, an Eberly College Scholar, a Presidential Student Ambassador, a Senator At-Large for SGA, a WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior, and an Order of Augusta inductee.
What is one thing you learned about yourself during your time at WVU?
One thing I learned about myself during my time at WVU is that I am stronger than I think I am, but that it is also okay to ask for help when you need it. These past four years have not always been the easiest. Between a pandemic and losing some people that I thought would always be a part of my life, I have had my fair share of challenges. However, these challenges have allowed me to strengthen my friendships and relationships with others and seek support from others, something that I typically did not do before college.
What advice would you give to future WVU students?
My advice to future WVU students is to find your niche and live it out to the fullest. There is no harm that can come from trying out a new club or activity, and you never know. You may meet some of your best friends and have the best experiences of your life just by trying something new! In some cases, it could even open opportunities for the future, including once you graduate.