Natalie Morean is a second year Human Development and Family Science major from Locust Grove, Georgia (shout-out to all the Henry County Bulldawgs out there). This summer Natalie will have the pleasure of greeting the newest group of bulldawgs as an orinetation leader. Natalie is forever proud to be a bulldawg and not scared of telling anybody about it.
What is your career goal in life?
I would like to ultimately become an occupational therapist, in addition to running a nonprofit organization geared towards helping children with disabilities.
What are somethings you are involved with on campus?
I am going to be an Orientation Leader for Summer 2017. I am currently serving as Community Service Chair of National Council of Negro Women. I am also a member of Black Affairs Council and a BEST mentor.
What made you choose UGA?
At 16, I became involved with the University of Georgia through a program funded by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The Young Scholars Program is a 6-week long summer internship that allows precollegiate students to explore scientific fields and perform research under the supervision of a current UGA professor. I loved this program and was so appreciative of all the opportunities that it awarded me. From then on, it was never a question about “if” I was going to UGA, the question became “how much longer” until I get to UGA. The program made me feel at home and fostered an environment that I didn’t want to experience anywhere else.
You participated in the Miss Black and Gold pageant back in November and was crowned Miss Black. What was that experience like?
The pageant was a learning experience more than anything. Throughout the process, I became extremely close to 14 other women, who also serve as campus leaders. The pageant taught me how to be vulnerable, open to constructive criticism, and cope with stress under minimal sleep. It also reinforced the value of communication skills, planning, executing, and holding yourself to a higher standard. These skills were necessary though because at the end, I could have possible become the representative of an entire organization. I wouldn’t have traded my experience for anything, and wouldn’t have wanted a different group of women to share my Miss Black and Gold journey with. The experience was invaluable and one that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.
What made you apply to become an OL?
An orientation leader that was a part of my first-year summer (2015) encouraged me to apply. The relationship that followed this summer consisted of mentorship and friendship. I became comfortable with asking her anything, whether that be campus involvement or social stigmas. She recognized how hard I worked for organizations that I was already a part of, and knew my personality very well, so she recognized my potential. I want to be able to have this type of relationship with new first year and transfer students. I want to be that encouragement that any student needs to reach their full potential. I want to be able to give back to a university that has already given so much to me.
6. How did you find out that you were chosen as an OL? What was your reaction?
I was sitting in Joe Frank Harris Dining Commons and got a phone call from Alton Standifer (the Director of New Student Orientation here at UGA). He asked me what I was doing and if I had time to come to Terrell Hall for some additional questions. I assumed these were follow up interview questions, so I rushed over to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. I get to the office and there is another student standing outside (who I did not know at the time, but I now know him as Alex, my #12 OL) and Alton. He tells us that he can speak to us together, so I was a bit confused. Then, the past year’s Orientation Team, as well as a few from 2015, rushed out of the building with posters with our names on them saying “Welcome Natalie to the Team.” I was so shocked that all I could do was jump around. To my surprise, the Orientation Leader who encouraged me to apply was there. This was probably one of the few times that I was genuinely surprised, and felt proud of myself for taking the chance to apply.
What are you looking forward to as an OL?
As an Orientation Leader, I’m most looking forward to the summer sessions. It’s not a very specific answer, but the summer sessions encompass everything that I am REALLY looking forward to: making memories with my team, meeting new students, enjoying activities such as the introduction songs and Orientation Live, seeing my personal growth, and long days with sleepless nights. I can’t put any one experience over others, because in the end, all of this will help me develop as a friend, student, and a leader.
Favorite part so far of being an OL?
My favorite part of being an Orientation Leader so far has been SROW (Southern Regional Orientation Workshop). During the second half of spring break, our orientation team hosted a conference with Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech, in Statesboro, GA. At this conference, we hosted over 50 schools from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. We learned so much from the other schools that participated, and they learned a lot from us (I’d like to think). The three-day workshop consisted of talent exhibitions (UGA did the opening dance routine), role calling, leadership and learning workshops, a service project, spirit competitions, a t-shirt swap and more. My favorite part though was probably the relationships that I formed with students from the variety of schools there (S/O to the SOAR team at Georgia Southern). While most people were on a beach for spring break, I was doing what I love, with people that I love more.
(Natalie is OL #3)
Favorite place to study at UGA?
My favorite place to study is probably the Law Library, first floor. They have comfortable chairs, and I think the view into the inner quad area is nice. It’s very quiet as well, so I’m not as easily distracted. It was an area that I stumbled upon exploring campus my first year, and I’m glad that I did.
Favorite Resturant in Athens?
My favorite restaurant in Athens is Last Resort. I especially love their desert selection, because I have a sweet tooth that cries out for cheesecake.
Favorite College memory so far?
I can’t decide if my favorite memory is my first-year homecoming tailgating experience, or my first G-Day experience. Both days consisted of early mornings and late nights full of events. I had a great group of friends to go with, which made the experience more memorable. Looking back on college, I will probably remember those two days the clearest.