Emily Lucitt, Westminster Senior
Hometown: Waynesville, MO
Graduation Year: 2020
Majors: Health and Wellness and Military Science
What are your future goals?
My future goal is to commission active duty Army and become a successful Army officer.
In terms of your professional life, what would you say is your overarching purpose today?
My power in my purpose is to produce a significant change in others lives by inspiring them to live an abundant life of honesty, integrity and happiness.
How did your time at Westminster help you find that purpose?
Westminster gave me the tools to find and harness my leadership and creativity skills. My liberal arts education didn’t teach me new skills or new traits, but they realized the skills and strengths I already had and further developed them to be even better. They helped me find my passions and provided me with opportunities to explore them.
Were any relationships you formed at Westminster particularly influential in helping you find clarity of purpose?
Going to such a small and close-knit school, I have had the opportunity to make connections with a variety of faculty members and alumni. My advisor has helped me with more than just planning out my course load. She has given me the tools and guided me through to find and stay on my path. She has helped me explore new ideas and guided me through them. Being involved on campus has also provided me with connections with faculty members outside of my field.
I owe my initial interest in Westminster to an alumna. One of my high school soccer coaches graduated from Westminster and encouraged me to look into it and visit. If it weren’t for her, I would I would have never considered it. My first internship was though an alum’s commendation, which set me up for my second internship the following year. I feel that alumni truly care for the success of other Westminster students and go above and beyond to help.
What does being a “leader” mean to you?
Being a leader to me means doing what’s right at all times, respecting authority and putting the group before yourself. I believe in leading by example. I believe in equal opportunit, and in keeping an open mind to new ideas. As a leader, I think it’s important to give credit where credit is due but always own up and take responsibility for your actions. I have taken on leadership roles through ROTC, softball and Student Government here at Westminster. These diverse positions have taught me that leadership is about teamwork and encouraging and supporting others.
I learned so much about leadership at Westminster, I studied organizational leadership and took a number of LST courses. Not only did I learn about different styles of leadership and theories and practices, I learned what kind of leader I am and how to better those leadership skills.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is knowing that I made a positive impact in others’ lives.
What is it about Westminster that makes it the kind of community that empowers students to discover their purpose and find success?
Westminster is a welcoming, nurturing community that provides its students with opportunity. Taking advantage of the opportunities provided for you is the key to finding your purpose not only here, at Westminster, but in the future.
Do you recommend Westminster to prospective college students?
How could I not? This school is my home-away-from home. The love I have found on the campus and community is like no other. I have always been able to feel like I am apart of something here at Westminster. I will forever be grateful for the number of opportunities provided to me through this amazing institution.
Favorite Westminster faculty member(s)?
Amanda Gowin and Karen Thompson-Wolfe
Favorite spot on campus?
The softball field
Last book you read?
What Drives Winning by Brett Ledbetter
Favorite TV show?
Friends
Favorite app?
Favorite way to spend a Sunday?
Outside, however that may be, in a hammock with a book, hiking or playing catch with my friends.
