BHC Spotlight: Lindsay White '22

Major/Minor: Mathematics (BS) & Pre-Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) with ODU
Hometown: Phoenixville, PA

Why you chose BHC (beyond the scholarship benefit)
I chose the Batten Honors College for the community of people. When I came for the Honors Competition as a senior in high school, I got to experience first hand the students that were in the BHC. I saw a diversity of personalities, backgrounds, and interests, yet a shared drive for education and involvement. Even before getting into the Honors College or attending VWU, I felt welcomed into the community of the BHC. I was also impressed by the opportunities offered, particularly the study away course and the living-learning community of the Honors Village.

What benefits have you gained from the BHC
The Batten Honors College has provided immensely for me in all aspects of life. It has given me a whole community of lifelong friends. It has also given me unique experiences to go to new places and try new things such as a two-week leadership conference in Washington DC and an immersive experience in Israel and Palestine. The BHC has also shown me new perspectives and new ways to look at things. But perhaps one of the greatest things I have gained from the BHC is a space to challenge myself and grow both academically and as a person. The interdisciplinary honors courses challenged me to step outside of my subjects of interest and learn in new ways about new topics. My BHC peers challenge me every day to work harder to be a better student, friend, and person.

Highlight a specific research, internship, or study abroad experience(s).
In January 2020, I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Israel and Palestine through the Batten Honors College studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Not only did we have the chance to experience notable places such as taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, swimming in the Dead Sea, and climbing up Masada, but we also got to immerse ourselves in the lives of those in Israel in Palestine. We partook in a traditional Shabbat dinner at the home of a family in Jerusalem, ate lunch in a home in the Druze community, heard the life experiences of both Israelis and Palestinians, and even did homestays in Bethlehem.

How did the BHC curriculum or program prepare you for this experience?
The Batten Honors College taught me how to be open to different perspectives and new things. The interdisciplinary aspect of the honors courses showed me how to incorporate multiple ideas into learning about a subject. It also taught me to always be learning and to be open to trying new things that are outside of my comfort zone.

What do/did you hope to achieve/gain from this experience?
My experience in Israel and Palestine changed the way I view the world and the way I interact with others. While overseas, we heard from people on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The common theme from everyone we met was how important it is to listen and learn from those who are different from you. I also learned the importance of always learning and trying new things. Additionally, this course allowed me to build close bonds with my fellow BHC students and professors who went as well as create friendships across the world. All of these lessons have translated into my everyday life and interactions with my BHC peers and other friends, and have shaped how I see other people as I learn to spread more love and peace as we learned overseas.

List of things involved with on campus (sports teams, clubs, academic competitions/teams, positions held and description of duties)

VWU Choirs: Camerata and Vox Vera
Musical theater: Legally Blonde
Intramural Flag Football (team captain)
Intramural Basketball
College Republicans (Secretary- communication with members, outreach, assist with decision making)
Marlin Ministries Soul Group Planning Team/Leader (put together groups, communicate with individual leaders and members, organize and run meetings for leaders)
Volunteer Mentor at Tidewater Collegiate Academy
Volunteer Peer Mentor for BHC freshmen
Volunteer WyldLife leader (middle school branch of YoungLife, lead middle schoolers at a local middle school)
Campus Cooperative work program

List any awards, recognitions, and/or conference presentations

President’s List Fall 2019, Spring 2020
Dean’s List Fall 2018, Spring 2019

Anything else you would like to share about your experiences with BHC
The Batten Honors College has given me opportunities, experiences, and memories I couldn’t have ever imagined before coming and ones I would not be able to get anywhere else. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a unique program.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me using the info below:

Lindsay White
Email: lgwhite@vwu.edu