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Ed'Rienna Thomas '11 |
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Thomas participated in R-MC's Research Day 2010. |
The Randolph-Macon College campus atmosphere is a great match for
Ed’Rienna Thomas ’11. “I didn’t visit the campus before I started classes,” says Thomas. “I wanted a new experience, so I just jumped in whole-heartedly. My high-school guidance counselor had suggested I attend R-MC. As soon as I arrived, I was impressed by the close-knit community.”
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On Track
Thomas is an
international studies major and an
Asian studies minor. When she’s not studying, she can sometimes be found running in the
Brock Center during the winter and around campus during warm-weather months. “I’ve loved running for many years,” she says. “It helps me think and it relieves stress.” As former president of R-MC’s Track and Field Club, Thomas hopes that track will soon be a varsity sport at the college. “It would be great if we could make it happen,” she says.
Strong Foundations
The Florida native is a real go-getter who is a member of R-MC’s Habitat for Humanity and Alternate Spring Break organizations. In spring 2009 and spring 2010, Thomas traveled to New Orleans and Florida and helped build houses. “In Biloxi, we built the foundation of a house, and in Fort Lauderdale we concentrated more on roofing and interior work,” she says. “I got involved because I like knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life.”
Thomas is a member of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), a new R-MC sorority that was chartered in May 2009. “AKA is unique to Randolph Macon’s campus because it is not only a historically black sorority but it is also based on service,” she says. “AKA participates in many service activities, such as canned food drives, Toys for Tots and the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk.” Thomas is also active in R-MC’s Women of Color (WOC) discussion group, which meets weekly to discuss topics that are relevant to women of color on campus and the world at large. “Being part of this group is very important to me,” she says. “It helps me realize the challenges that women face and how society perceives us.”
Time for Travel
During J-term 2009, Thomas traveled to China in conjunction with the R-MC course “Chinese Culture and Society,” taught by Asian Studies Professor Jai Wu. “We traveled to Beijing and Shanghai,” says Thomas. “We saw the Great Wall and a tea farm and had the most amazing experiences. I was able to see firsthand what another culture is like.”
Future Options
It’s no surprise that Thomas’ post-R-MC plans are ambitious. “I will either get a job in China teaching English while working on my doctorate degree, or I will get into a grad program in the United States,” she says. “Then again, I may join the Peace Corps for two years and then pursue my doctorate or get a job. I like working to help others, so I’m leaning toward the Peace Corps. I have a lot of options and I’m not going to be narrow-minded. I’m going to see where life takes me!”
For information about R-MC’s psychology program, visit
http://www.rmc.edu/academics/psychology.aspx.
For information on R-MC’s international studies program, visit
http://www.rmc.edu/academics/international-studies.aspx.
For information on R-MC’s Asian studies program, visit
http://www.rmc.edu/academics/international-studies.aspx.
For more information about the breadth of programs and opportunities available at Randolph-Macon or to schedule a campus visit, contact our Admissions Office at (800) 888-1762 or at admissions@rmc.edu.