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Olivia Mayer
More Than I Imagined Seniors reflect on accomplishments and look ahead

Olivia Mayer

Graduation year: 2017

Majors: Business administration-management and psychology

Minor: Sociology

Activities: Phi Beta Kappa, varsity basketball, varsity lacrosse (CCIW Defensive Player of the Year), Sigma Pi Delta sorority

Internships: Youth Service Bureau counseling services in Rock Island two summers ago, Sherwin Williams this past summer

Why Augustana?

I chose Augustana because it has a beautiful campus, is the perfect distance from my hometown, Libertyville, Ill., and gave me the opportunity to play two sports for two great coaches in a great environment that made me feel at home.

Are you where you thought you’d be when you first came to campus?

I’m not sure where I thought I would end up, but I know that I am happy with how far I’ve come over these past four years, and I am excited about what the future holds.

Who helped you get to where you are?

There are so many people in my life who helped me get to where I am. My parents, most importantly, pushed me and gave me the tools and advice to be successful and supported me in so many ways. My older brother and sister also helped me push myself and inspired me to be the best I could be. My high school coaches were such a blessing and helped shape the athlete I am.

A peak experience?

I think my peak experience would be this year. I had the opportunity to have an amazing internship and develop my professional skills. Both of my athletic teams had great seasons. It’s so nice to see all the hard work pay off.

What surprised you?

I have learned so much over these last four years. I learned how to be confident in myself and to hold myself to a high standard, yet I also learned how to grow from mistakes. I’ve grown to love myself for who I am and not worry about what other people think. I’ve realized how important communication is in every aspect of life. Most importantly, I’ve learned how blessed and lucky I am to live the life I live.

How did you use your Augie Choice?

I used Augie Choice last summer to travel to Italy with the basketball team. It was amazing!

What will you miss the most?

I think I will miss the community here at Augie the most. That includes friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and also just the atmosphere on campus.

Advice for the Class of 2021?

Do not be afraid to push yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s okay to make mistakes—just learn from them and don’t make those mistakes again.

“Olivia has been a pleasure to get to know and coach this year. She has developed some great life skills. Her level of problem solving, maturity and ability to handle high pressure situations on the field will translate so well as she takes her next steps. Olivia is not only an amazing athlete, a great teammate and leader, but also an incredibly well-rounded person. She really gives all of herself to everything that she commits herself to. I've no doubt that she will go out in the world and continue to be amazing!”

– Caroline Durham, head women’s lacrosse coach