On top of academic excellence, Weston Robison, a senior majoring in biological science, has volunteered extensively in the local community and has traveled extensively with International Service Learning. And somewhere in between it all, he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hometown:
Lyons, Ga.
High School:
Robert Toombs Christian Academy
Degree objective:
B.S.A. in biological science
Expected graduation:
May 2014
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
If there were one word that could describe my experience at the University of Georgia, it would have to be opportunity. UGA has preserved my Southern roots while serving as a springboard to my academic pursuits, community involvement and international service.
As an incoming freshman I received the Robert C. Byrd Honor Scholarship, as well as the Stewart Family Liberal Arts Scholarship. I’ve also received and maintained the Zell Miller Scholarship throughout my time at UGA. As a freshman, I was recognized at Honors Day as being in the top 5 percent of my class in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. I was also initiated into Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honors Society.
Apart from awards and scholarships, I have had an undergraduate experience rich in community service and campus involvement. In the past I have tutored with Whatever It Takes, which is an organization aiming to ensure that by 2020 every child in Athens-Clarke County can go on to a post-secondary education. As a volunteer tutor, I mentored elementary schoolchildren in a dynamic after-school program centered on learning and fun. As a volunteer with the Athens Community Council on Aging, I have served with the Meals on Wheels program. As a volunteer driver, I have had the opportunity to deliver hot lunches and conversation to some of the community’s forgotten elderly, shut-ins and less fortunate. Within my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, I’ve served under Member Development as the academic chairman.
I’ve also had the chance to participate in a handful of meaningful on-campus organizations. I’ve served on the Student Health Advisory Committee, which is one of the University Health Center’s student groups. Members of SHAC serve as the student voice for all health matters. As a member of SHAC, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on search committees for professional staff vacancies, host multiple blood drives with the American Red Cross and aid in the health fee proposal process. I’ve continued my involvement with the University Health Center through my involvement as a Healthy Dawg Ambassador. HDAs serve as ambassadors to the University Health Center through various campus outreach initiatives throughout the year. In addition to outreach, HDAs volunteer at the Health Center’s information desk by answering the phone and directing visitors.
Lastly, I serve as the UGA campus representative of International Service Learning. ISL strives to serve the poorest populations in Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Africa. I traveled with ISL’s medical teams to the Dominican Republic and Haiti during winter break of 2011, and again to Tanzania in May 2012. As a campus representative, I plan personalized trips geared toward the interests of the traveler.
Family Ties to UGA:
Because I come from a long line of Georgia Bulldogs, I’m proud to carry on a family tradition.
I chose to attend UGA because…
I chose to attend UGA because of its strong science curriculum. I wanted to be challenged in a way that would help prepare me for a career in medicine. Apart from UGA’s respected academia, I was drawn to UGA’s rich tradition that is embedded in the South, Georgia Bulldog football, and the Classic City. Athens is arguably the best college town in the South. It has something to offer everyone: live music, delicious local food and a place to proudly call home for a few short years.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
Fall is my favorite time of the year to be in Athens. I enjoy walking through North Campus and Ag Hill as the fall color begins to emerge from the trees. Of course, Saturdays in the fall are unlike any other. Having never missed a home game, my favorite on-campus activity is cheering the Dogs to victory in Sanford Stadium.
When I have free time, I like…
When I have free time, I really enjoy unwinding with a workout or taking a hike in the Botanical Garden. Spending time with friends, eating at new restaurants in Athens and playing open mic nights make up most of my time outside of school related commitments.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
The craziest thing I’ve done is summit Mount Kilimanjaro. Because I began the hike with extremely little experience, climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world proved to be one of the most rewarding adventures I’ve ever been a part of. On the night of the final summit, we reached the 19,341-foot Uhuru Peak in time to watch the sun rise, which was one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever witnessed. It was an awesome addition to a medical service trip in Tanzania.
My favorite place to study is…
My favorite place to study is the Miller Learning Center. After a cup of Jittery Joe’s coffee, I’m most productive in the morning quiet of the fourth floor.
My favorite professor is…
Over my time at UGA, I’ve been blessed with many great professors, a handful of which I’ve had the opportunity to get to know. Of those, I can say without hesitation that the most influential professor I’ve had is Karl Espelie. As my academic adviser, he has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that my course of study would meet and surpass the prerequisites for the MCAT and medical school. My coursework has always transitioned smoothly from one semester to the next, and I attribute the streamlined, logical sequence of classes to Dr. Espelie. As a faculty mentor, he has continually made himself available to hear my questions on anything from campus involvement to medical school applications. His guidance over the past three years has helped open window after window of opportunity, and for that I couldn’t be more thankful.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would like to spend it with my grandmother, better known as “Nan.” My Nan has been an endless source of support throughout my undergraduate career; I can count on receiving an encouragement card in the mail each week. As a spiritual leader and avid Bulldog fan, her letters often include uplifting Bible verses and newspaper clippings highlighting Georgia football. Nan is also known for her legendary homemade sweets and our 10-year-old miniature dachshund, Georgia.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
If I knew I couldn’t fail, I would surf a 70-foot wave off Oahu’s North Shore.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
If money was not a consideration, I would love to travel the world and fully indulge in what each country had to offer. I’ve always enjoyed travel, but my few experiences abroad with International Service Learning have helped fuel the flame. In addition to flying from region to region, I would like to have a nice vehicle to drive through more scenic countries as well as a yacht to sail through various islands. It would give the trip a nice land-air-sea dynamic.
After graduation, I plan to…
After graduation, I plan to start medical school at Mercer University’s School of Medicine.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
I won’t ever forget my first trip down to Jacksonville to cheer on the No. 10-ranked Bulldogs as we beat the No. 2-ranked Florida Gators 17-9 in the 2012 season. I’ve never been to a game with a more electric atmosphere.
