By: Allison Jones, Nursing
When I think of Bellarmine, I am reminded of my home away from home. This is the place where I have spent so much time (practically a fifth of my life) becoming who I am today with the influence of so many students and faculty.
Four short years ago on October 4, 2016, I decided to tour Bellarmine for the first time and had
no idea where that tour would lead me. I was a senior in high school and looking forward to the next best thing after checking graduation off my list. I was so ready to get out of my small town and was looking into colleges that were hours away.
Bellarmine was considered a dream school for me because it checked off all of my boxes, some of which were: it was small, a Catholic university, it was far enough away from home, but close enough to where I could still visit on occasional weekends, it
has the major/career path I wanted to follow, it included hospitality, provided student activities and had organizations to get involved in and so much more.
I had already begun to get involved and connect with future Bellarmine students just like me. I couldn’t wait to get started and achieve all I had mapped out for myself over the last few years of high school. I had a plan, and I was going to stick
to it.
Fast forward a bit to my first semester of college, boy was I hit with some hardships and obstacles. Nevertheless, I pushed forward. After my first semester I decided to change my major after coming to the realization, I no longer wanted to become a doctor,
but rather admired the profession of nursing. I always have had a passion for the medical
field, but I realized I wanted to be more involved in-patient care.
Bellarmine is known greatly for its nursing program, and I may be a little biased, but I believe it is a strong program with great potential that has influenced so many individuals to become leaders within the profession.
The nursing program has taught me more about myself than I thought I ever needed to know. It revealed to me how strong of a person I am. It has been quite challenging, but it also has been rewarding with all the opportunities I have been given. I mean
who else can say they watched eight babies get delivered in one clinical day?
Not only have I been gifted with an amazing school for my undergraduate career, but I was given leadership qualities and ways to get involved throughout campus. I have been an Ambassador for four years, and it is always so exciting to share my passion
and love for Bellarmine with prospective students when they visit. I have also been a member of Phi Mu, which is the female Greek sorority on campus. Throughout my experience in Phi Mu, I have held two leadership positions. I have seen tremendous
growth in my communication skills and the ways I interact with others on our executive board. I believe these two organizations have brought me out of my comfort zone and have enabled me to become who I am all while meeting so many individuals who
have so much to offer to our campus. I couldn’t imagine what my college experience would be like without the influence of these groups and the people I have met along the way.
We formed a bond at Bellarmine that cannot be broken.
Fast forward to the present, I am now a senior who will graduate in less than 6 months! When reflecting on all I have gained while attending Bellarmine, I realize how this college has also blessed me with so many friends and lifelong relationships I will
have for years to come. Even though we may all go separate directions when we graduate, I know we will stay in touch. We formed a bond at Bellarmine that cannot be broken. Whether eating at UDH, studying at the library or quad, going to the chapel
for church, playing random games of Bingo in Frazier, or cheering on our Knights in basketball at Knights Hall. We became united friends for life. Those memories and friendships are something I will always treasure.
Again, I know I have been blessed, and I am so grateful to Bellarmine University and all it has given me. A part of me will always be here on this beautiful campus. As always, Go Knights!!