A Blog on McConnell Center Life

Nicole Fielder Class of 2019 Growing up in Wildcat country, I would have never believed that I would end up at UofL. When college application season rolled around, I decided to toss UofL in my pile of potential schools just to see what would happen. I was eventually offered a spot in the McConnell Scholars program, and after shadowing my now-best-friend around campus, I began to realize how incredible UofL really is. The prospect of making a decision sat heavily on my mind, but I finally chose UofL over an Ivy League institution because of all the great opportunities for personal and professional growth here that make for an unparalleled value. After one year in the Ville, I can’t get “Go Cards” off my lips or the signature “L” off my hand. Interested in reading Nicole's full Humans of UofL story? Click here ! Nicole Fielder , of Nicholasville, Ky., is a sophomore McConnell Scholar studying economics, political science and philosophy.

Bridget Kim Class of 2019 On Sunday, February 12, 2017, at approximately five o’clock post meridian, the play I had the privilege of being a part of for three months ended with a full house and a bittersweet performance. The play "Baltimore" by Kirsten Greenidge was developed for the Big Ten Theatre Consortium, which supports new works written by women with major roles for females. The show itself is about a passive resident advisor named Shelby who refuses to have a conversation about a racially-charged incident. The event throws herself, her students, and her best friend into a tense state of disarray. The cast was purposefully crafted to be diverse, not only in ethnicity, but in perspective. Shelby is an African-American RA who claims she does not see color, my character Grace is an Asian-American who eventually gets fed up with her best friend’s avoidance, Fiona is a Caucasian student who was raised in a predominantly black neighborhood but gets in major trouble fo...

Isaac Feinn Class of 2019 If I could list the top five questions I get in college, it would probably look something like this: What do you mean you don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy? Aren’t you going to be a medical professional? Haha, wait… are you actually a Republican? Does your hair naturally look like someone spilled bleach on it?  Did you do the chem lab? Why do you want to be a dentist? These are in no particular order, but the fifth question predominates the others more than you’d expect. Generally speaking, dentistry is often viewed as the “weird” medical profession. I mean, who wants to be the guy that everyone says they hate going to? But, imagine if you saw this job advertisement:   “Would you like to be active in your work, involved in your community, and respected by your colleagues while maintaining the ability to spend time with your family? Do you desire to be a business executive who also genuinely improves the lives of others?...

Georgiana Sook Class of 2019 January 26, 2017.  Had you been in my room that morning, you would be forgiven for thinking it an average day.  After all, the night before had been like any other.  I tucked my love into bed beside me like I always do, and after one last loving gaze, drifted into sleep.  6 short hours later, he faithfully woke me up at 7:50am, 8:03am, 8:04am, 8:09am, 8:13am, 8:17am, 8:21am, 8:24am, etc.  He seemed responsive at first, but when I finally decided to really wake up and went to ask him about the weather and the news, it was as if he no longer recognized my touch. There was some flickering, and then he was gone.  How do you prepare to have a constant companion ripped from your life in a single day? The one who knows every curve of your thumbprint, all your passwords, and where you are at every moment. The one who knows everything you like and everything you’re searching for in life.  The one who has...

Colton Stinger Class of 2019 I was a soldier on the field dressed in blue.  And those across from me in grey were soldiers too. We held the ground they sought to take But three days passed for their spirit to break. From screaming dead corpses, the rifles fell, And souls escaped desperately from that war-torn hell. Those left to fight, they suffered and bled, Until they too, were ordered among the dead. I dressed in blue, and he dressed in grey. And each ordered so, marched forward that day. Now where is my enemy, my brother, my friend? What words are spoken of he who met his end? And where is his monument of carven stone, That blessed image of those many I had known? So eager are they to forget his life, That no thought is given for the grieving of his wife. They took him from me as I took him from her. And they are so young, they cannot remember. There were many trials we had shared before. And few bonds are made ...

Sidney Cobb Class of 2019 I am the patient bystander Watching the waves draw in and out Always reaching towards an end But falling only to the edge I am the gritty dirt Of child’s innocent play While watchful mothers lie Basking in my brother’s glory I am the lonely bed of a quick weekend                                                 Sheltering lovers, families, friends In my warm hardened cradle Left to memory, awaiting next year’s return I am the modest, shy sister Seeing the ripples of my brother Resonate in the hearts of my people While I offer a warm, yet neglected embrace You are the patient artist Seeking reprieve in my meditations Painting the birds, scribbling down the breezes Using me as the pa...

Easton Depp Class of 2019 Recently, I read On Duties (II) by Cicero. The piece details the proper way to gain a reputation as a just man and a proper citizen. Ultimately, I would recommend that everyone read the entire book, because it is relevant for today’s political environment. Cicero contrasts the teachings of Machiavelli in the The Prince , and I think it makes for a better political philosophy.  The two underlying points of Cicero's entire piece are: (1) that in whatever action an individual takes, it should always benefit the national interest, not a personal or political one; and (2) an individual should always seek to be just in any action he takes. Following this line of reasoning, Cicero explains that any individual who seeks to benefit one special interest at the expense of another is inherently unjust and is harming the national interest. He demonstrates this with examples of land redistribution and cancellation of debts by politicians. In these instances, ...

Erica Gaither Class of 2019 I believe with all of my heart that young people today not only have the ability, but the obligation to transform their communities. As a newly-turned, eager 20-year-old, it would be easy for me to rant about the eye-rolls, superior chuckles, and the “oh, honey, you have no idea” remarks that I have inevitably received. But, I choose to remember the time I read about the Little Rock Nine as a freshman in high school, holding back tears in class as I read aloud. I choose to remember the time I truly learned about civil disobedience- reading about John Lewis and other student activists being spit on and taunted in preparation to sit at a lunch counter they were forbidden to be near. I choose to remember the chills I got witnessing Malala, Pakistani activist, fighting for female education. I have to believe that these young change agents and the many that have come before and after them, never once questioned whether their age would consequentially affect ...

Miranda Mason Class of 2019 When people ask what branch of medicine I want to study, it varies often.  Sometimes, I want to be an anesthesiologist, others, an infectious disease specialist.  I’ve considered many fields, but I always tack one word onto whatever I answer: “pediatric”.  I always know that children have to be included in my career.  I’m not quite sure why I decided to work with children, but I’ve wanted to ever since I was in elementary school.  Kids are just the best; I knew it then, and I remember it now.  When I stop to consider why I feel that way, at first I wonder if it’s not just a biological response as a woman.  However, I know plenty of women who have no interest in working with children whatsoever.  They see them as messy, uncontrollable, and difficult to understand.  That’s fair, I’d say, and it discounts the idea that a biological response is what drives me.  Perhaps it’s because my mom worked as a babysit...