“Close enough to visit often, but far enough to live on campus”
is how Alyssa-Rae Hug, Class of ‘13, describes her home in
Farmingdale, on Long Island. Always a motivated student, her
reason for applying to college was to continue learning. She
had enjoyed, utilized and exhausted high school, and it was time to
move on to a school that would offer that extra
challenge.
“I originally never planned on applying to St. John’s, but fate led
me down the right path.” Offered a Presidential scholarship
and a place in the Honors Program, Alyssa-Rae visited campus, and
immediately could feel herself there, living, working,
playing. She shadowed an upperclassman, and met with
professors in her varied fields of interest, such as French,
Linguistics and Government & Politics, but the most influential
part of her day was her private tour with Dr. Forman, Honors
Director. “I could see that the University offered something
more than an education,” she said. “There was a personal
attention I felt from the professors, especially Dr. Forman, and an
enthusiasm from the school in general.” She sat in on Dr.
Forman’s Core Global Literature class, and felt that this was the
challenge and passion she was looking for.
Alyssa-Rae entered St. John’s as an undecided major in September,
2009: “It’s not that I don’t know what I like; it’s that I
like too many subjects!” says Alyssa-Rae. St. John’s proved
to be a perfect fit for her desire to learn “everything about
everything.” The core curriculum offered her a chance to take
courses for the first time in philosophy, theology, rhetoric, and
more. And, with the guidance of the Honors program and the
Freshman Center, she found herself in classes focused on other
interests, too. In her year here, she has narrowed her
interests to English, Government, French and Rhetoric, and
continues to determine the make-up of her degree. “All four
programs are so great—the professors are so helpful and
knowledgeable, the classes fascinating, and the other students,
especially those in my Honors courses, are amazing. And a
double major is so possible!”
Alyssa-Rae has also taken advantage of the many extra-curricular
activities offered on campus at St. John’s. In addition to
participating in numerous Honors Program events, such as Dr.
Forman’s Tea and Sympathy, Uncommon Hours, and more, Alyssa-Rae has
also joined such organizations as Debate Society, Donovan Residence
Hall Council, Student Government, Inc., French Club, LEAD and Women
in Leadership. She has also enjoyed the community service
opportunities available at St. John’s, such as University Service
Day, when she volunteered at the Special Olympics with her Honors
Discover New York class, and a weekly high school tutoring program
at nearby Lourdes Academy.
Though living on campus took a bit of adjustment from home,
Alyssa-Rae loved the experience of living in the Honors
Housing. She was able to live alongside those she was
learning with in the classroom, and build friendships and bonds
with her fellow Honors students. As Alyssa-Rae exuberantly
stated of the Honors Housing in her speech at the Honors Program’s
Admissions Dinner in April, “We are a strong support system of
hardworking students and caring friends, who share a love for our
books and each other.”