Lauren Campbell, a senior with majors in international business, international politics, and Spanish, will graduate Saturday, May 22, with two degrees "" Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science.

"I never planned it this way.  I was always good in math and science, but I didn't know what I wanted to do," Campbell said.  "I came to Westminster as an undecided major.  After taking an American Workplace business course, I decided to become an international business major.  One requirement for that major was to study abroad.  So I went to Spain, and enjoyed it so much that I picked Spanish as another major when I returned." 

"Then I saw a brochure on 'Semester at Sea,' and I wanted to do that too," Campbell continued.  "Dr. (Kent) Carter, one of my three advisors, made that happen for me.  After visiting Vietnam, India, Kenya, Japan, China, South Africa, Brazil, and Cuba, I knew I  wanted to learn more about their cultures and politics, so that's why I became an international politics major."

 Campbell, who is a native of Canfield, Ohio, and a Canfield High School graduate,  is not certain what she wants to do in the future, but plans for next fall are set.

 "I'm going to grad school at Ohio State for my MBA.  I'm also taking the LSATs over the summer because a degree in law would complement my MBA," Campbell said.  "Maybe I'll go into financial planning for an emerging company somewhere in the world.  I know I want to travel more and see the Baltics, more of Africa, Latin America, and China."

 "There are a lot of  nations with highly educated people, but they need more investments in their country to relieve the poverty.  I think the role of business is to make the lives of people better.  Business should help distribute wealth to make economies develop."

 Campbell is certain Westminster College helped her achieve her personal goals.  With three majors, she had three advisors: Dr. Carter, associate professor of business administration who retired last year; Dr. Jeffery Bersett, assistant professor of Spanish; and Dr. Andrea Grove, associate professor of political science.

 "Professors were interested in me, and showed me how to take advantage of every learning opportunity.  My advisors were always supportive in whatever I wanted to try."

Campbell's dad is a doctor at North Side Hospital, and her stay-at-home mom was a part-time day trader.  She is the middle child in her family, with a big sister and a younger brother, Colin, who is a freshman physics major at Westminster.

"Colin's had more clarity than I did when I was a freshman," said Campbell.  "All I knew is that I wanted to take advantage of all that Westminster could offer.  I'm not sure that my experience would have been so positive somewhere else."

Lauren Campbell