People of Eastern: Lizzy Parker

      Lizzy Parker is a senior graduating this  May, but will be back in the Fall for student teaching and starting Eastern’s TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) grad program. Parker as three majors: Early Childhood Education, Middle-Level Education for math and social studies and Spanish. She also has the coolest minor on campus: Gender studies.

      In addition to all her academic work, Parker is very involved in advocacy. She is the president of Refuge and an officer for SAGE.

     Parker was kind enough to answer some questions for the Waltonion. The first being, “what drew you to Eastern?” Her answer seems to ring true to a lot of students who have decided to make Eastern their home.

      “I first visited Eastern in the Spring of my first year of college, and I knew before I left campus that this was the place for me. I decided to transfer to Eastern after a year at another small Christian school. I was looking for a place where I could explore questions surrounding my faith in a community that had a wide variety of perspectives represented. I also wanted to go to a school with opportunities to engage with social justice issues in a tangible way. Plus, I wanted to go to a school that was in an interesting location. Being near Philly and not far from other cities is super fun, especially for someone who is not from the East Coast. I feel that I have found all of these things here, as well as many amazing connections with professors and the friends I have made.”

    All of these things are what helps make Parker so invested in Eastern.

       “I feel very invested in Eastern’s community, and it’s because of the people I have met here. I love that Eastern is a small school because I never walk across campus without running into people I know, and at the same time, I am always meeting new people. I have had the opportunity to learn from so many excellent professors and speakers here, and I have made such a great group of friends. I am also invested in Eastern as an institution. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities to learn and grow that I have been offered here, and I want Eastern to continue to learn and grow, as well. I hope that I am able to stay connected to Eastern even after graduation,” Parker said.

      She is clearly a pillar of Eastern life, which will continue as she continues her graduate studies.