Name: Alyssa Thornburg
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Environmental Ethics and Policy Major with an Environmental Science Minor
Hometown: Grants Pass, OR
What made you want to come to UP?
Well, being in the Portland area is what drew me. I’d grown up visiting Portland a lot and I like the proximity it has to natural areas. For UP specifically, I loved the campus and the programs, and it helped that I got great financial aid. Everything just aligned!
What clubs/activities are you involved in at school?
I am the Co-President of the College Ecology Club. We’re basically the “green” or “sustainable” club on campus and we like to do a variety of on and off campus events such as litter pick ups and tree plantings. We try to have a holistic understanding of a sustainable environment.
What’s your favorite part about being the head of The College Ecology Club?
I love our events, especially the most recent one, Trashin’ Fashion. It’s a competitive fashion show where students can create a piece of clothing made out of recyclable materials. It’s a fun way to participate in recycling.
What are some little known facts about you?
Hmm, well one is that I love watching YouTube videos of Chinchillas taking dust baths, I kind of feel like they’re my spirit animal. I have an older sister who goes to school in Chicago, and hiking is probably my favorite activity.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you bring?
I would take a cup of my favorite earl grey tea, a digital camera to take pictures with and my favorite book, “Matilda,” by Roald Dahl.
Lastly, what advice do you have for an incoming freshman?
I would say enjoy every second of your college experience because it has the potential to be absolutely wonderful. This might sound cliché, but these are the years you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Embrace it!