Campus Life with Iyahna

Transcript

Okay, first, we’re gonna meet up with Iyahna Calton. She’s a junior originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is majoring in psychology with a double minor in criminology and pre-law, very, very impressive. And she’s gonna share with us what campus life is all about here at Fort Lewis. Take it away, Iyahna.

So, when it comes to campus life at the Fort, there are a number of ways to get involved. Let’s be honest, that’s a big part of the college experience, the community. And that’s exactly why our campus is buzzing with events and activities for the students.

Usually when something big is taking place on campus, it’s best to be in what I call the Wholly Triad. The Wholly Triad consists of the clock tower, the library and the student union and are commonly places where students can find, A, an ideal study spot, B, a tabling event of some sort, or C, a place to hang out and meet someone new. Over time at Fort Lewis, these places became legendary to me, wholly in a sense, serving as a space to meet some of the most wonderful people in my life today. And these views are just a few of the beautiful places available to students on campus, functionally serving as a hotspot for new hangs or the place for the perfect picture.

Personally speaking, my experience at the Fort has been full of perfect and not so perfect moments. If you ask me, understanding life as a young adult can be all too challenging, which is why choosing the right college can quite literally mean everything. Fort Lewis meant, for me, choosing an unknown path, a new path when it came to forging diversity, equity and inclusion. Fast forward three years and self-work, growth and actualization to have taken place right here on this very campus. And thanks to campus life, I’m grateful for the opportunities presented to me.

I was able to genuinely cultivate a network that of which I am so very proud of. My role as a part of student government has allowed me to represent the student body in ways I never knew possible. My greatest role as Black Student Union President has presented me with a platform to speak on issues around colonization, oppression, addressing discussion and dialogue unknown to the narrative. By now, I’m sure that this is where I’m meant to live and the truth I am meant to be a part of.

If you ask me what makes this place so unique is people like you, with a story to tell and a top tier liberal arts education awaiting. I hope I didn’t tell you all our secrets. And if anything that I said stuck with you for whatever reason, well, I hope to see you soon. I’m off to one of the beautiful views I was talking about earlier. See you around. Back to you, Alex.

Iyahna, that was so special. Thank you for speaking from the heart. That was really cool. This campus is incredible and I’ve been loving the vibe ever since I got here. Great job, thank you for that. Take care, Iyahna.