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Felicity Lenes

Senior from Charleston, South Carolina
Molecular biology with a minor in economics

Do you live on campus? If yes, what do you like about living on your own?
I do! I love having my own nest! I see cooking as a creative outlet and adore my fantastic bathroom-mate, Jessie Harpham, who is also a first-year leader.

List some of the clubs or organizations you are involved in at UT Dallas?
Student Government, Student Ambassadors, Intramural Sports, SPEAK, and A Modest Proposal.

List some of the clubs or organizations you are involved in outside of school.
Volunteering at DaySpring Retirement Home, International medical volunteering with Public Health non-governmental organizations like Mustard Seed International and Water Missions International.

List some of your hobbies.
Cooking, singing, kite-flying, reading, applying for graduate school scholarships and trying to write a compelling personal statement.

Something that people may not know about me.
I spent a summer in south Sudan giving 9,000 people vaccinations against meningitis. This summer my job is basically to examine poop in Honduras and China to prove the impact of clean water … I know it seems like a "duh" thing, but in order for non-governmental organizations to get grants to provide clean water to rural villagers in developing nations, we have to prove scientifically that it helps.

Why did you decide to become a First-Year Leader?
Aside from the fact that First-Year Leaders are the coolest people on campus, I see it as a way to "give back" to UT Dallas for the many wonderful opportunities I’ve been given, and equip freshman to take advantage of our unique environment of stimulation for and encouragement of student leadership.

I want my students to learn how to maximize the tremendous resources available to them so that they can leave a real mark on UT Dallas. I also want to propagate the Whoosh.

What advice do you have for the freshmen class coming into UT Dallas?
Go to class. Go to office hours. Make sure at least one professor a semester knows your name and a little something about you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Don’t be afraid to pursue an idea people think is crazy — I can promise you most administrators were not originally a fan of a free-speech rock, but now we have one on campus, thanks to the perseverance of students.

What do you wish you did during your freshman year that you didn’t?
Contracted mono and didn’t take it easy enough. Do not share water bottles on ski trips!

What do you like about UT Dallas?
I love the environment — even with 15,000 students, UT Dallas feels like a family. I love the opportunities available to students to start clubs, read one of the hundreds of thousands of online journals we subscribe to, and take part in cutting-edge research with a professor who actually cares about your results!

Why did you decide to attend UT Dallas?
I thought that at UT Dallas I would have a chance to make a difference and leave a mark. Of course, I also look smashing in orange and green.

What has been your favorite/best UT Dallas experience so far?
There have been so many! The most rewarding was probably signing up for my DART pass, because that is a service I spent a year of my life trying to bring to campus.

What did you learn about college life that you didn’t know before?
It’s ok to watch TV occasionally and eat toaster strudels in moderation!

What do you like to do to unwind after class?
Hang out with my fantastic friends, read by the fountain on the campus mall, go to meetings, cook!