University of Mary Washington - Index

University of Mary Washington - summer08 - Index

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Left to right: Victoria Crawley, Jason Istvan, Greta Krafsig, and Robert Lynn, '08 grads who
were among the first to matriculate to the University of Mary Washington, shared their
college plans when they first arrived at UMW. They've come a long way in the past four years.
Nearly four years ago, the centennial class arrived at the
newly named University of Mary Washington eager for the
experiences awaiting them. Now, with more than 1,000
undergraduates having received their degrees in May, the
members of the Class of 2008 seem well prepared for the
next phase of their lives.
Several students shared their stories with University of
Mary Washington Magazine during their very first weeks
on campus. Some of them spoke to us again recently, just
before graduation. They expressed varying thoughts about
their college experiences and their hopes for the future,
yet each agreed that the choice to attend UMW helped
define who they are and what they want to do with the
rest of their lives.
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Four years ago, Victoria Crawley said she wanted to be a
doctor, a dream she’d clung to since childhood. Crawley has
remained interested in biosciences but has changed her focus
somewhat. She has moved to Columbia, S.C., where she’ll
be a government-contract microbiology research assistant.
“Many of the biology professors, before they taught,
worked in research. My advisor, Dr. Kathryn Loesser-Casey,
helped me see the different routes a biology major can follow,
and she also suggested that government research programs
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON MAGAZINE����������������
Victoria Crawley
in 2004
| By Marjolijn Bijlefeld
sometimes get better funding.”
Professors guided and challenged
Crawley throughout her college
experience, she said. From the start,
she was impressed by the sincerity of
faculty members, who provided an
open invitation to help.
“Those bonds grew even stronger
over the four years,” she said. “The
professors remember me from year to
year and can see how I’ve grown.”
Crawley said she almost wishes she were a freshman
again.
“There’s so much going on,” she said. “I won’t see the Lee
Hall renovations completed, and changes in the academic
program will benefit young students. For example, when I
came in, freshman met four times with their advisors. Now
there are eight meetings. Today’s students have a lot to look
forward to.”
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Jason A. Istvan, who arrived at UMW after attending high
school in Ireland, has resettled in America comfortably. His
bachelor’s degree in economics has prepared him well for a
Robert A. Martin