Ella Radvany

What’s your favorite class? Why?

My favorite class has been Biology 202 with Dr. Sharon Torigoe. I have loved this class because Dr. Torigoe emphasizes the connections between biology and chemistry. For me, this helps concepts click. We spend classes working through problem sets in groups. The problem sets use the content from the textbook and apply them to real life examples. This has really helped me understand important biological concepts. Dr. Torigoe uses the team based learning pedagogy, which means we spend a lot of time in group settings, working together to understand hard problems. This class has been the perfect amount of challenge for me.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts college for my undergraduate education to be a well rounded student. I grew up in a town surrounded by trees and water, so access to nature was very important to me. When I visited Lewis & Clark, I noticed how close the campus is to Tryon Creek State Park. This access to nature was very exciting and to this day I still run through Tryon. Another aspect that drew me to Lewis & Clark is the ease of study abroad. I knew I wanted to study abroad while in college and Lewis & Clark provides great access to a variety of programs. Lastly, I wanted to go to school somewhere that had many opportunities to be engaged with the community. Lewis & Clark allows access to Sellwood and the greater Portland area, which was super exciting to me. Lewis & Clark has tons of clubs and activities, so I knew I could find the perfect activity for me.

What do you like or find most interesting about your major?

I love that my major allows me to explore the connections between biology and chemistry. I have always been drawn to interconnections, so a major that allows me the best of both worlds is wonderful. I also quite like the courses I must take for biochemistry and molecular biology (BCMB).

Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.

My biggest support system is my friends. We spend a lot of time together, like at meals or doing homework. They are able to listen when I need someone to hear me. They can also give me a big hug when I need that. My favorite social outlet is the crew team. After a hard day of classes, I get to go out on the river and spend time with my favorite people. I like to be around people when I’m stressed and crew practice lets me socialize and take my mind off the stress for a brief period of time.

If you have studied or will study overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?

I came into college knowing that I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish speaking country. For the amount of Spanish classes I have the time to take, studying in the Dominican Republic made the most sense for me. This program includes a home stay, which was a huge draw for me. This program will add a greater cultural awareness to my L&C experience. It will challenge me in the perfect ways, making me a stronger student and person.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Explore the activities and the area. Activities are an easy way to make friends as a first year student! My closest friends are people I met on the crew team. There’s a huge variety of activities, so there’s something for everyone. Exploring the Portland area is also super fun! I spent a good number of weekends Pio-ing down to Tea Chai Te to do homework. It’s a great way to keep yourself from burning out, while still getting work done. Don’t be afraid if you don’t have a tight knit circle of friends within the first few months. It is perfectly normal to not find your people until you’ve been here for a month or two.

What’s one of the best spots on campus?

I love the lounges in Olin.

Why do you love rowing at L&C? How do you balance athletics and academics?

I enjoy this question a lot because we recently discussed why we choose to row. For me, I love being a coxswain on the crew team because it helped me find a community, gives structure to my life, improves my leadership skills, and gets me outside. I met my closest friends because they walked onto the crew team at the same time as I did. Crew practice is a great social outlet after a hard day of classes, too. Being a member of a varsity sport does mean you have a large time commitment outside of classes. However, I get work done better when I’m on a tight schedule. The time commitment that crew provides forces me to not procrastinate. I’m a coxswain, so at practice, I’m in charge of my boat. I must run practice smoothly and efficiently. My boat is usually 8 people, so I’ve worked to find the ways to most effectively lead my boat. This has grown my leadership skills significantly. We practice on the Willamette, so I get to smell fresh air and see the trees 5 days per week. We also see wildlife, like blue herons and sea lions, sometimes! I balance athletics and academics by finding a routine. Early in the semester, I learn when it is best to do which homework. I also do my biology readings 2 days before we talk about them in class and I start organic chemistry homework a week before it’s due. This routine means I will always have budgeted time for homework. I also do homework and study with my teammates to help us all get work done on time.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

Since I’m a sophomore, I can have my car on campus now. I spend one day per weekend off campus, doing homework at a coffee shop. I like to mix it up and try new coffee shops to explore new parts of Portland. My favorite shops include Portal Tea, The Living Room, and Honey Latte. Doing homework off campus brings a little variety into my life. Getting a yummy caffeinated drink also sweetens up the process of homework.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology