Lily Thomas

High school: Romeoville High School

Hometown: Plainfield, Ill.

Majors: English, French

Minor: Creative writing

Activities: Augustana Concert Band, French Club, French subject tutor

Post-grad plans: After graduation, I will be presenting a paper at the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature. After that, I will be looking for a job in my hometown.

Why Augustana?

I chose Augustana because it is a small school with a tight-knit community. The campus is beautiful, and I was able to connect with my classmates and professors in a way that I couldn't in a different school.

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

When I came to campus, I didn't have any huge plans other than majoring in English and French. I never expected to become so involved with French tutoring. I definitely didn't expect to present one of my English papers at a conference. Overall, I'd say I have grown a lot as a person since I was a freshman.

Who helped you get to where you are now?

I have many people to thank for getting me to where I am now. My family has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey at Augustana.

Of course, all of my professors have been a huge help. Special thanks to the French department, which has always pushed me to do my best.

Peak experience?

In my sophomore year, I was able to visit the Rock Island County Courthouse as part of my French Interpreting class. It was interesting to see how I could use my French skills in real life. But it's hard to choose just one thing! I've had many good experiences here on campus.

What surprised you?

I was surprised to connect with so many new people! I made lifelong friends here. The small size of this campus makes it easy to bond with others.

What will you miss the most?

I'll miss the connections I made with my classmates and professors. Getting to see familiar faces around campus was nice.

Advice for the Class of 2029?

Keep an open mind when it comes to picking your major! When I came here, I expected to only minor in French. But with the support of my professors, I not only majored in French, but became a French subject tutor. I also became the treasurer of the French Club.