St. Lawrence gave Tiye Gordon ’09 the opportunity to move away from her hometown of Knoxville, TN, and gain a different perspective on life.

Gordon is a McNair Scholar for the summer of 2007; the eight-week research program is tied in with her major, religious studies.

“The best part of my experience here, academically, is that I have acquired a hunger for learning,” says the graduate of the Webb School.  “The fact that I’m challenging myself in other areas [of study] is a major accomplishment for me,” says the junior who is enrolled in the 3+2 engineering program.

After her four years at St. Lawrence, she hopes to obtain her master’s degree from Columbia University and become an architect.  Eventually, she would like to get a Ph.D. and become a professor of religion.  “If I were to continue a career in religious studies, I would have to say that my major has prepared me,” she says.

Perhaps the achievement that Gordon is proudest of is her involvement in the Black Student Union, where she is the president.  BSU promotes a sense of community, diversity and shared culture; “Students think that because we are the Black Student Union our organization is just for blacks, and this is not the case at all,” Gordon says.

Gordon always tries to take advantage of the opportunities around her.  “What I love the most about SLU is its resources,” she says.  “St. Lawrence encourages leadership through its resources, like the Career Center, its international study programs and the programs like McNair and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).”  Recently, Gordon was nominated to be the president of the Junior Class Council.

Gordon is passionate about singing and is taking lessons to improve her voice.  She plays basketball, too.  But Gordon admits that she spends a lot of time thinking about the future awaiting her after graduation – she has big plans.