Student Spotlights
Lindsay Labiendo ’14
Major: English Literature and Adolescence Education
Hometown: LaFargeville, New York
Hometown: LaFargeville, New York
Activities: Varsity Softball (Elmira's 2012 Softball Sportswoman of the Year Empire 8 Team)
Gold Key
2014 Overnight Coordinator
Class of 2014 Fundraising Committee Executive Chairperson
Orientation Leader
Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Big Events Volunteer
Gold Key
2014 Overnight Coordinator
Class of 2014 Fundraising Committee Executive Chairperson
Orientation Leader
Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Big Events Volunteer
“I grew up in a very small town that thrives off a sense of community and that same sense of belonging and support is ever present at Elmira College. I feel at home here, and that was what was most important to me during my college decision process.”
What are your plans for the future?
After graduating from Elmira College, I hope to secure a teaching position at the high school level, ideally as an eleventh or twelfth grade English Literature teacher, and then go on to earn my Master’s Degree in Education.
Explain any experiences you’ve had on a sports team, or with a coach.
Being a student athlete at Elmira College has been an extremely rewarding experience. As a member of the Varsity Softball team, I have had the opportunity to continuing playing the game that I love at a competitive level. All of the coaches, trainers, sports medicine staff, and athletic staff here are friendly, knowledgeable, supportive, and care about each player as an individual. One of my favorite quotes is, "The point of the game is not how well the individual does but whether the team wins. That is the beautiful part of the game, the blending of personalities, the mutual sacrifices for group success. Even when you've played the game of your life, it's the feeling of teamwork that you'll remember. You'll forget the plays, the hits, and the scores, but you'll never forget your teammates." The teammates that I have had at Elmira College will always hold a special place in my heart. The personal connections that I have made with my teammates and coaches are one of my most cherished things that I will take away from my college experience. The women that I have had the privilege to play with have become like sisters to me. From fundraising clinics, bus rides, and cookouts, to prank wars with the coaches, “family suppers,” and the actual practices and games, the memories that I have made as a student athlete here will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Did you participate in an overnight when you were a perspective student? Did it help you with your decision?
I think I knew deep down the first time that I stepped on campus that Elmira College was going to become my home for the next four years. However, the college decision process can be scary and stressful, and as much as I loved the college, I still wondered if I was making the right decision. When I came to visit the campus again, this time for an overnight visit, I was almost certain that I would be attending college here, but I needed the reassurance that this was the place for me. Being able to stay on campus with an actual student, tour the dorms, attend a class within my intended major, eat in the dining hall, and attend a sporting event was all the reassurance that I needed. I knew without a doubt after my overnight visit that I had found my new home. Now, I work in the Office of Admissions as an Overnight Coordinator, scheduling visits for prospective students who want to see what a day in the life of an EC student entails.
Have any faculty members or administrators helped you? How?
I cannot say enough great things about the faculty and administrators at Elmira College. They go above and beyond. I love that I go to a college where I feel like the faculty and staff care about my opinions and ideas. The small class sizes here are similar to that of my high school, so I know that I am not going to get lost in a crowd. I have built personal connections with my professors because of this, most of whom have met my family when they come to visit, or have introduced me to members of their own families, and come to cheer me on at sporting events. During my freshman year, softball conflicts made it impossible for me to go home and spend the Easter holidays with my family. Not only did my coach open up her house to the entire team, but my Freshman Writing professor also invited me to his family’s Easter dinner. I might be wrong, but I don’t think professors at other colleges care as much about their students as the professors here, and that is one of the reasons that I am thankful that I chose EC.
After graduating from Elmira College, I hope to secure a teaching position at the high school level, ideally as an eleventh or twelfth grade English Literature teacher, and then go on to earn my Master’s Degree in Education.
Explain any experiences you’ve had on a sports team, or with a coach.
Being a student athlete at Elmira College has been an extremely rewarding experience. As a member of the Varsity Softball team, I have had the opportunity to continuing playing the game that I love at a competitive level. All of the coaches, trainers, sports medicine staff, and athletic staff here are friendly, knowledgeable, supportive, and care about each player as an individual. One of my favorite quotes is, "The point of the game is not how well the individual does but whether the team wins. That is the beautiful part of the game, the blending of personalities, the mutual sacrifices for group success. Even when you've played the game of your life, it's the feeling of teamwork that you'll remember. You'll forget the plays, the hits, and the scores, but you'll never forget your teammates." The teammates that I have had at Elmira College will always hold a special place in my heart. The personal connections that I have made with my teammates and coaches are one of my most cherished things that I will take away from my college experience. The women that I have had the privilege to play with have become like sisters to me. From fundraising clinics, bus rides, and cookouts, to prank wars with the coaches, “family suppers,” and the actual practices and games, the memories that I have made as a student athlete here will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Did you participate in an overnight when you were a perspective student? Did it help you with your decision?
I think I knew deep down the first time that I stepped on campus that Elmira College was going to become my home for the next four years. However, the college decision process can be scary and stressful, and as much as I loved the college, I still wondered if I was making the right decision. When I came to visit the campus again, this time for an overnight visit, I was almost certain that I would be attending college here, but I needed the reassurance that this was the place for me. Being able to stay on campus with an actual student, tour the dorms, attend a class within my intended major, eat in the dining hall, and attend a sporting event was all the reassurance that I needed. I knew without a doubt after my overnight visit that I had found my new home. Now, I work in the Office of Admissions as an Overnight Coordinator, scheduling visits for prospective students who want to see what a day in the life of an EC student entails.
Have any faculty members or administrators helped you? How?
I cannot say enough great things about the faculty and administrators at Elmira College. They go above and beyond. I love that I go to a college where I feel like the faculty and staff care about my opinions and ideas. The small class sizes here are similar to that of my high school, so I know that I am not going to get lost in a crowd. I have built personal connections with my professors because of this, most of whom have met my family when they come to visit, or have introduced me to members of their own families, and come to cheer me on at sporting events. During my freshman year, softball conflicts made it impossible for me to go home and spend the Easter holidays with my family. Not only did my coach open up her house to the entire team, but my Freshman Writing professor also invited me to his family’s Easter dinner. I might be wrong, but I don’t think professors at other colleges care as much about their students as the professors here, and that is one of the reasons that I am thankful that I chose EC.
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