To senior Julie Laughter, UGA is an endless resource of information, organizations and campus activities, and she has made the most of her time here. As a summer intern at Pepsi Cola in their research and development center, she worked on two research projects with color and flavor and one product development project with Gatorade. She also helped create nine new Gatorade products for the 2009 line extensions in Saudi Arabia. She is on the executive board of the Student Academic Honesty Council and Alternative Spring Break. She has led trips to West Virginia focused on diminishing rural poverty and to Lexington, Ky. to help awareness about injustices toward animals. She is a camp counselor and troop leader for the Girl Scouts also. After graduation, she plans to travel and possibly do an internship in food science or agriculture policy overseas. Then she plans to attend graduate school to earn a graduate degree in food science.
Hometown:
Macon, Ga.
High School:
Mount de Sales Academy
Degree objective:
B.S.A. in food science and technology with an interdisciplinary certificate in leadership service
Expected graduation:
Fall 2009
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
In the past, I served as the marketing chair and chair-elect of the Student Academic Honesty Council, and I am currently chair of the organization. I made a presentation about UGA’s academic policy and the Student Academic Honesty Council at the Conference for Academic Integrity in Myrtle Beach, S.C. this past October. This was just the first time UGA presented at this conference. Our academic honesty program and Council got a lot of positive feedback from colleges and universities all over the world who attended the conference. I am also a member of the executive board for Alternative Spring Break as well as a site leader for the West Virginia trip which focuses on rural poverty. Last year, I co-led a trip to Lexington, Ky. to raise awareness about injustices towards animals. My freshman and sophomore years I went on trips to Birmingham, Ala. and Washington, D.C. In addition to that, I am a member of Delta Gamma sorority where I am the director of crews. I served as director of finance in the past. I also work closely with the Girl Scouts as a camp counselor and a troop leader. Within the food science department, I served as the community service chair for the Food Science Club. As far as research, I am currently assisting a Ph.D. student with her food science project. I am a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and I have been on the Dean’s or President’s List every semester while at UGA.
Current Employment:
This past summer, I interned at Pepsi Cola in their research and development center in Valhalla, N.Y. I worked on two research projects with color and flavor and one product development project with Gatorade. A highlight of the summer was creating nine new Gatorade products for the 2009 line extensions in Saudi Arabia!
At school, I am an office assistant for the Myers Community, and I have also worked as a conference host. As an OA, I process mail, assist students with any housing issues or questions they have, and help Ms. Anne, the Myers administrative assistant, with any other details of the office.
I chose to attend UGA because…
Before I came to college, I had no idea what I wanted to be involved in or study! I just knew I wanted a campus that was energetic, provided a variety of extracurricular activities and offered several different fields of study. I visited UGA during an Explore Georgia session, and I fell in love with the campus and town atmosphere immediately. Then, after finding out how much was available here, I definitely knew this was the place for me. I decided to attend Freshman College Summer Experience, and during that summer, I realized even more what the university had to offer its students. Now, after three years here, I am still finding out about cool programs and events UGA has that I never knew existed. In a nutshell, I just love the fact that UGA appears to be an endless resource of information, organizations and campus activities.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…going to Dawgs After Dark and hanging out with my friends there! I also like to watch movies at the Tate Center. Between classes, I hang out with Ms. Anne and the “Myers Crew” (all the other OAs) in the Myers Community Office. I really love just walking around campus because that’s how I find out about so many things going on in the school and community.
When I have free time, I like…
…to travel around Georgia, hike and volunteer with the Girl Scouts. Also, I really enjoy going to concerts and finding any new and upcoming musicians. Hanging out with my friends and making them laugh is also one of my favorite things to do.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…crash weddings and parties! My dad is a member of two bands back home, so when he goes to the events, I just tag along. It’s worked so far!
My favorite place to study is…
…the Botanical Garden. I really enjoy being outside, so the Botanical Garden is a great place for me to focus and get my work done.
My favorite professor is…
Dr. Robert Shewfelt, Dr. Aaron Brody, and Dr. Dennis Duncan are three professors who have really helped me grow into a better scientist, student and leader.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my father’s father. He passed away before I was born, but everyone always says he was a great man who would have loved hanging out with his grandchildren. He was a talented musician and lawyer. Both Mom and Dad tell me and my sister that he really was one of the most genuine and sincere individuals we would have ever met.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…hike the entire Appalachian Trail. I love hiking and being outdoors, and this has always been a dream of mine. One day, I will do this! Then, maybe, I’ll try out for the Amazing Race!
After graduation, I plan to…
…travel. I am currently looking for possible internships overseas in food science or agriculture policy. Afterward, I plan to attend graduate school to earn my M.S. in Food Science.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…Freshman College Summer Experience was such a great time. I met some of my closest friends during this summer, and I really got to know the campus (and bus system) well. I also got to do a low ropes course with my hall-mates, go cosmic bowling and take a history class.