Student Profile: Lauren Copeland
During my first year at Chatham, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23) have noticed that so many interesting people attend Chatham, and our sense of community is strong, even during hard times. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students, starting with Lauren Copeland ‘23!
Lauren Copeland ‘23
Major: Visual Arts with K-12 Education Certification
Hometown: Fox Chapel, PA
First up is Lauren Copeland! I first encountered Lauren because of a series of mixups where we were mistaken for one another, and I quickly learned that this was a good thing because Lauren is a really good person! She is the perfect example of a Chatham student; someone who has a passion for education and making the world a little brighter through her work.
Lauren is the recent recipient of The Kathryn Roberts Frank Scholarship. In honor of Ms. Kathryn Roberts Frank, this scholarship connects Chatham women of the past to Chatham women of the present, like Lauren, who strive for academic achievement. I caught up with her at Café Rachel and talked about her love for Chatham, art, and squirrels!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Chatham?
A: I was really drawn to Chatham because of how small it is. It’s really easy to get to know everyone and to become comfortable with the campus. As someone studying the arts, Chatham is great because studying art here isn’t intimidating or competitive at all. The Art and Design Center is its own little community and the professors are always there to help me out. Plus, I love animals and there is always a squirrel hanging around campus!
Q: What do you want to do after graduation?
A: Right now, I want to be a high school art teacher, but that might change after I do observations through Chatham. I will be certified in K-12 so my options will be open. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher; I love my education classes just as much as my art classes.
Q: Outside of classes, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: Art is my biggest hobby and it is such an encompassing hobby, that it’s mostly all that I do. And I love that about college; that I get to do what I love in my classes! I was involved with Chatham Student Government last semester, but I am too busy with class this semester. CSG really gave me the tools to want to get involved here though. I’m hoping to get involved with the artist’s collective next semester and boost that program as I was really involved with the arts in high school.
Q: As a first-year student, what do you feel has been most successful about your Chatham education thus far?
A: Engaging young people in today’s environment is a big challenge. I think that Chatham is doing a really good job of teaching me how to truly listen to others and interact with others. I feel that the professors are helping me to think for myself and figure out what I truly want.
Q: Do you have a favorite medium that you like working in with your art?
Definitely ceramics! It will always have a special place in my heart.
Before social distancing measures for COVID-19 were in effect, Lauren was going to be recognized for her scholarship during the Honors end of the year celebration banquet in April, where she would have also had the chance to meet the donors of The Kathryn Roberts Frank Scholarship. Though this event is sadly cancelled, the funding from this scholarship will go towards Lauren’s tuition and dream of educating others about the art that she loves!