Name: Lauren Keating
Year: 3
Program: Communication Studies
Hometown: Kitchener, ON
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Social Media: @LaurenKeatingg (Insta), Lauren Keating (FB)
Favourite Wilf’s meal? Seagram Wrap (it was my first meal at Wilf’s)
Favourite on campus study spot? Library
Favourite weekend activity? Dancing
Which fruit best describes your personality: Pineapple
Favourite type of potato chip? Salt and Vinegar
What’s your favourite thing about Laurier? How easy it is for me to get involved on campus and how passionate students are about their involvements.
If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be? Caring, driven, humorous
What are you/have you been involved in at Laurier?
I am currently a Residence Education Advisor (REA) for the Department of Residence, and I manage The Morning Show and After Class shows at RadioLaurier.com. I am also a sales representative at the Hawk Shop, and I participate in the recreational dance program offered at the Athletic Complex.
What encouraged you to get involved in these specific clubs/organizations/departments?
I used to set my alarm clock to 88.3 in the morning, and sometimes there were students from Conestoga College hosting the show. I would think to myself, I could do that! When I went to the Get Involved Fair in my first year, I found RadioLaurier.com and decided to join! I was DJ Goldilocks for the next 2 years. After my second year of hosting, the manager of our team was graduating from her Master’s program and the position of The Morning Show and After Class Manager became available. I decided to apply for this position because there were a lot of areas that needed improvement and I felt I was equipped to tackle these issues. I was fortunate enough to get the position and have been working closely with the Station Manager to set and achieve goals for my team and the station overall.
In terms of my residence experience, in my first year one of my good friends told me they thought I would make a great Don. After some consideration, I decided that I wanted to apply. In my second year, I was the 4th floor Don in University Place Residence. I loved having a floor of first year students, but I felt that I would be able to make more of an impact on first year students through the REA position, because this role was more event and presentation focused. In my current position, I have the opportunity to provide educational programming to first year students, run de-stressor events and act as a bridge between first year students and on-campus partners and resources.
During O-Week I participated in the dance off with my colour team (go Blue Knights!), and one of the choreographers, Sara Moniz, was instructing the Burlesque class in the recreational dance program. She suggested I come try free week, and three years later I’m still attending her class!
Tell us a little bit more about Radio Laurier’s Dirty Bingo!
Dirty Bingo is our most popular annual event! It’s hosted at Chainsaw, and this year it will be happening on Thursday, October 19 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Different Strokes and Stag Shop, who have donated a bunch of awesome and hilarious prizes for participants! The event is 19+ and is an “adult” spin on the traditional Bingo game. $5 gets you entry into the event and 2 Bingo cards, additional cards are $1 each. There will also be a raffle, $2 for 1 ticket, or $3 for 5 tickets! We encourage all 19+ students and community members to come out for a fun and dirty night!
What advice would you give to students looking to get involved at Laurier?
Put yourself out there! Find something that interests you, and it will change your university experience completely. I have made almost all of my friends at Laurier through my extracurricular involvements at school. Getting involved is worth so much more than just a point on your LER, as it provides you with an opportunity to explore your interests and find your passions.
Fondest memory from Laurier?
This is a tough question, I have so many great memories at Laurier. One of my fondest memories though, is when the AC fire alarm was going off during free dance class week and Sara continued to teach the class on Alumni Field!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I think I would have to say Norway. Over the summer, I lived with an elderly woman named Jane. Jane travelled all over the world with her husband when he was alive and she told me that if she had to live anywhere other than Canada, she would move to Norway.
Who are the most important people in your life?
My family are the most important people in my life. I have five siblings and two very loving parents that have supported me and loved me unconditionally throughout my life. I would not be who I am without them.
If you could give anyone a shout out right now, who would it be and what for?
I want to give a shout out to my parents, Elaine and Ray, for being the most supportive and inspiring people in my life.