Ohio Wesleyan was a place that provided everything I was looking for...
Name: Melissa Murray
Class year: 2024
Major(s): Biochemistry and pre-medicine
Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
Ohio Wesleyan was a place that provided everything I was looking for: sports, academics, and the flexibility to be involved in campus and travel abroad.
Why did you choose your major?
I love to be challenged and to solve problems for others. I wanted a career where I was always actively working to find new solutions and helping others to the best of my ability.
What is your favorite memory on an Ohio Wesleyan team?
My favorite memory on the volleyball team was when our team came together to play against Calvin. The game was so energetic and fun, with OWU coming out on top against the odds.
What is your number one goal, personal or team, for this season?
My number one goal for this season is to make an impact, whether that be as an individual on the team or a player on the court. Our team's goal is to make an impact in OWU volleyball history.
What athletic or academic achievement/accomplishment are you most proud of? What did you do to put yourself in position to achieve that?
The achievement I am most proud of is getting in the student-athlete top 50 the last two years. I have worked extremely hard to balance my academic and athletic life along with sorority, clubs and volunteering. Seeing my hard work to stay on top of my grades and my sport appreciated is something I am proud of.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to take a gap year working as an EMT before attending medical school.
What did you study on your OWU Connection trip to Australia? Which experience(s) of your trip were the most memorable, and how did they affect you?
I spent the Spring 2023 semester living in Wollongong, Australia. I studied pharmacology and anatomy while attending the university, but my most memorable lesson learned was shifting my mindset. Where I lived, there was a very heavy beach culture and I learned how to go with the flow more and accept that not everything is controllable. I also visited the Great Barrier Reef and the experience of seeing how beautiful and how far it extended is sticking in my mind, making me realize how important protecting that environment is.
What is your favorite place to eat in Delaware, and what is your go-to dish there?
My favorite place to eat is Mi Cerrito and my go-to dish is any type of fajita with queso!
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with?
Three people I would like to share a meal with are Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Tom Huddleston, partly because I love Marvel but mostly because they all seem like interesting people who are active towards social change.
If you could visit another time, when would it be and why?
I would want to visit ancient Rome because I find it interesting how many questions we have today about their common practices, especially in art and architecture.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a student-athlete?
I would say to live every moment to the fullest without overextending yourself. Know your limits and push yourself to be the best version of yourself both on and off the court, pursuing what you love. College doesn’t last forever, so do what you enjoy.
