Lauren Welch
Caldwell Fellow, Class of 2004
London, United Kindom
Head of Advising, US-UK Fulbright Commission - EducationUSA
Like so many alumni and current scholars, being a Caldwell Fellow had a profound impact upon Lauren's life and career. Sometimes, alumni can pinpoint changes resulting directly from being a part of the program. Lauren is one of them. "I certainly wouldn't have found myself working for the Fulbright Commission in London, had I not received a stipend to study abroad at Oxford and worked in the Caldwell office as a student." She admits however that most of the time, the impact is much more subtle, taking shape in shared values of scholarship, public service, leadership and self-development.
Lauren expresses a constant feeling of honor to have been a part of such a dynamic community and a profoud appreciation for the opportunities it afforded her. Though five years and "the Pond" now separate her from NC State and the Caldwell Fellows student community, she continues to endeavor living up to the challenge Chancellor Caldwell set so many years ago - to maximize the opportunities life presents and to 'think big' about the possibilities for herself, her career and my role as a Caldwell Fellows alumna. Perhaps that's why when she recently visited the States in June, she stopped by The Caldwell Fellows office and offered to help the program in any way she could.
No doubt she will for decades to come, like so many dedicated alumni of the Caldwell/Fellows programs!
Personal Trivia
Favorite recent books: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
True Story: "When I went on the Wilderness Trip, I hadn't hiked before or camped for that matter - not even in my own backyard! Now I go on a hike at least once a month, if not more, and am proud to say I even made it to Mount Everest Base Camp a few years ago.
A favorite quote: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." - President Barack Obama