b'Embrancing Change Learning Resiliencycollegiate honor society; and DeltaWhile learning virtually, I missed engaging with Sigma Pi, a professional businessprofessors and students as online courses made this fraternity, where she served as the viceextremely difficult. I enjoyed being home with my family, president of finance for one year. but the downside was separating my studies. On campus, I could go to the library or the Memorial Student She gained valuable experienceCenter, but that was not available, said Lydia Bunner, of through participation in the 2019Montgomery, West Virginia.International Management Conference for the Society of Advancement ofBecause of the pandemic, Lydia completed the spring Management in Orlando, Florida, andsemester at home. Some of her professors required participated in the Peoples Bank Casestudents to attend live class in Blackboard, a program Study Competition, where her teamMarshall University provides for students and faculty, others posted assignments and one required finished second place, in 2019. Shestudents to read and learn from their text book. also participated in the 2019 Beta Gamma Sigma Global LeadershipThe transition went smoothly. I had taken online classes, but I definitely prefer in-person courses, Summit in Chicago, Illinois. Lydia said. The majority of my professors were helpful and understanding. I appreciated that Boram volunteered as an income taxMarshalls IT Department was readily available for support as we used the Blackboard Collaborate assistant for Beta Alpha Psi duringtool, which was easy to navigate.the 2018 tax season and worked onGraduating in December 2020, Lydia is majoring in business management and chose Marshall campus as a welcome desk assistantbecause of the beautiful Huntington campus, student opportunities, welcoming environment, and an academic assistant at INTO Marshall for a year and a half beforeproximity to home and community relationships. accepting an internship with the Universitys Office of Purchasing. A member of the 3+2 Program, which allows students to obtain their Bachelors and Masters degrees within five years, Lydia will enter the human resource management masters program after Thankful for the experiences Marshallgraduation. A recipient of the Dr. W. Howard and Ann P. Taylor Memorial Scholarship, Lydia is provided that led her to the biggergrateful for the support to maximize her education in a shorter time and recognizes scholarships world, Boram believes that Marshallhave made it easier for her to capitalize on these offerings. taught her to connect with others, learn new cultures and see thingsI am truly thankful for the kindness of others. As a scholarship recipient, I am grateful for the from a different perspective. She looksfinancial freedom they allow me to have. Scholarships have given me the peace of mind to attend forward to giving back to Marshallcollege almost debt-free. That is comforting when I contemplate post-graduation plans, she said. one day because she is grateful for her education and those whoThank you to my scholarship donors. Your generosity has given me the opportunity to capitalize helped her overcome obstacles. Ason my college experience, specifically, my Marshall experience, which adds to that feeling of an alumna, Boram hopes to provideaccomplishment when working through college.courage to other students. She hopes to continue being adventurous, andOn campus, she enjoys visiting with friends at the Memorial Student Center Plaza. Lydia is excited will continue exploring the Unitedto utilize her education to create a solid career and believes the biggest obstacle she has faced as States as her Optical Practical Traininga student is finding a work life balance. Visa was approved by the United States Citizenship and ImmigrationThis virtual learning situation has taught adaption skills and is an experience that will stay with Services (USCIS). students forever, she said, noting her sisters resilient example. My original plan was to move to theMy biggest fan is my older sister. She is encouraging, honest and never fails to remind me that I northeast coast, but after seeing thosecan do anything I set my mind to. I aspire to be like her because she is inspirational. She created cities especially have been hit hardher own business from the ground up. She is hardworking, determined in everything she does and by COVID-19, I changed my plan toputs effort and time into what she cares about. I aspire to have that level of ambition in making a move to Columbus, Ohio, to pursue job opportunities. I think this is the bestgreat life, Lydia explained. decision for me because I have some friends who live in Columbus and theLydia is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honor society and Delta Sigma Pi, a city is close enough to Huntington ifprofessional business fraternity, where she has served as the fundraising committee chair and I need help. I am excited to start myvice president of chapter operations. She has enjoyed this organizations community outreach, new journey there, she said.friendships and professional growth for the past five semesters and cites it as a highlight of her college career. Thankful for connections made, opportunities presented and that she will always be I appreciate everyone at Marshalla part of the Marshall family, Lydia hopes to pay forward the kindness alumni have shown her.who has helped me improve myself and move forward in this chapter ofI think giving back to Marshall is an impactful way to say thank you and pass it forward to future life. students. You never know the difference your support can make.'