Canton, Ohio
English and Africana Studies
Lauren McIntyre Emerges as a Campus Leader at The College of Wooster
Four years ago, Lauren McIntyre thought The College of Wooster was too small and too close to home to even think about attending. An English and Africana Studies double major from Canton, Ohio, McIntyre was already considering 12 other schools when her mother suggested Wooster, but “when I visited here, I just fell in love. The students, the atmosphere, the close-knit community on campus convinced me that this was where I needed to be.”
McIntyre was also impressed with Wooster’s curriculum and its study-abroad program. “I had the opportunity to study in England and Costa Rica when I was at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson (Ohio), so being able to participate in off-campus programs was very important to me,” she says. “As a sophomore, I had a wonderful experience in South Africa with the Rhodes University program.”
Natural Leader
McIntyre was elected president of the Black Students Association in 2008-2009. “I became involved with BSA early on, and then was nominated for the executive board,” she says. “That experience helped me to realize how important BSA is to this campus, so I decided to run for president.”
McIntyre’s victory was a direct result of the vision she shared with her fellow students. “My goal was and is to foster dialogue and develop a greater sense of community across campus,” she says. “BSA is not just for black students; it’s for all students to get together and talk about prejudices, stereotypes, and other issues. We need to build on our diversity and identify the common goals and interests that bring us together.”
Energy and Enthusiasm
"Lauren is one of the most energetic and enthusiastic students I have had the pleasure of working with at Wooster,” says Charles Peterson, associate professor of Africana Studies. “Her enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and adventurism are infectious. She is a traveler of the most earnest and sincere paths."
McIntyre, who plans to pursue a master’s in healthcare administration, will always be grateful for the guidance and nurturing she received at Wooster. “I have had so many mentors here,” she says. “So many people have invested in me, and their warmth and support has been very important.”