Tau Scholar Senior Spotlight – Abigail Miller

Spring term is always an exciting time for our Senior Tau Scholars. Each of them took some time out of their hectic schedules to share a few reflections about their time at Lourdes and their future plans.

Name: Abby Miller

Home city: Galena, OH

Major:  Early Childhood Education

First enrolled at Lourdes: Fall 2016

Primary focus as a Tau Scholar: I went on the Habitat for Humanity trip three times and served as a student leader. I also helped to found the CLIMB retreat and served as a student leader for three consecutive years.

Highlight of your time here: I enjoyed the big events that I was heavily involved with, such as the Habitat for Humanity trips and the CLIMB retreat. There were also so many things that I looked forward to annually happening each year such as the Christmas Tree Lighting, Fill the Freezer, and Take a Sister to Lunch day. These are all “big” events, and they are all wonderful, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the everyday, more mundane tasks of being a Tau Scholar. I enjoyed folding the towels once they were done in the dryer, collecting casseroles from every fridge imaginable on campus with the handy-dandy casserole cart, and organizing drawers and closets at the CM house.

A favorite experience while a Lourdes student: I wouldn’t be able to choose a single “favorite part” of my time at Lourdes. Rather, I enjoyed each of the things that I was involved with for their own unique reasons. The soccer program allowed me to partake in my passion, develop leadership skills and do life with the most supporting, loving group of girls. The Campus Ministry program gave me opportunities to serve others in a multitude of ways, which is one of the greatest desires of my heart. The Education program thoroughly equipped me for my future career and challenged me to grow into the best educator that I can be. I have met and interacted with so many amazing people along my journey, including my future husband. These are relationships and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world and I am truly grateful.

What do you hope to do with your degree? I am hoping to find a full-time teaching job in the Toledo area for grades PreK-3. I am looking forward to managing my own classroom and seeing young students learn and grow.

Other message for students and/or future Tau Scholars: I never thought that my college career would end like this. There were so many opportunities and experiences that I am being deprived of, which is heartbreaking. I say this to encourage others not to take anything for granted. Enjoy every minute, even the hard ones, that you have as a college student, because you know never know when things are going to end or change. Take advantage of all of the opportunities that Lourdes and the Campus Ministry program offer you, because they really are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I hope and pray that each one of you grows during your time at Lourdes, as an individual, but more importantly in your walk with the Lord. The old cliché about how “it goes by so fast” really is true. Make the most of it!

Honors that you’ve received:

• WHAC Champions of Character Award (2018) – Although missing the season due to injury, I was named to the WHAC Champions of Character Team for displaying the five core values of NAIA: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership
• WHAC All-Academic Team (2018, 2019) – I was given this award because I was a junior or above with a 3.25 cumulative grade point average or higher.
• Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete (2018) – I received this award because I was a junior or above in academic standing with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
• Lourdes University Campus Ministry Outreach Award (2019) – I received this award along with my fellow leaders for the annual Habitat for Humanity trip due to our dedication in serving others.
• Lourdes University Homecoming Queen (2019)

What do you like to do as a hobby or in your free time? I love spending time with my family and friends. I LOVE to run, and I enjoy being active. Other than that, I love to eat Chick-Fil-A, paint my nails, and go shopping.

Other activities you’ve been involved while at Lourdes: I was a member of the Women’s Soccer team for 4 years and served as a team Captain during my senior year. I worked part-time at the library and I was involved with both the Honors Society and the International Honors Society for Education (Alpha Zeta Kappa).

Something Profound that you want to say: Your relationship with the Lord is the most important thing that you will ever have, and it is the only thing that you will have forever. Live your life in a way that reflects that.