Original Inquiry

Half of a semester into my second year at Ohio State, I have gotten to complete two research projects that have pushed me to new horizons of creative inquiry. Last semester, I took COMM 2367, a second-year persuasive communication writing course; I spent the entire semester research one aspect of a social justice issue. In my group, our overall topic was that of a college education in relation to youth accessibility; I personally researched the impact of socio-economic factors that create such a gap. The paper was my first true research assignment at Ohio State and while I learned the basics of writing a research paper, I also learned that interweaving passion with research makes it an extremely enriching experience.

With this in mind, I started my second research project this semester for BUSMHR 2292, which was a research presentation on a company I would enjoy working for. Thinking back to my experience in COMM 2367, I chose L Brands, as I am currently a volunteer on the PINK Campus Team, have a passion for retail, and love the artsy side of business. I ended up loving this project and felt by the end of it, I had a better understanding of the company and could be an outstanding interview candidate. In the coming months, I will also be completing a group research assignment on business ethics for this course.

Months in Mount

A group of Mounties at the Fall Harvest Jamboree we volunteered at!

A group of Mounties at the Fall Harvest Jamboree

On September 24th, my Scholars program, Mount Leadership Society Scholars, had the opportunity to volunteer at the Fall Harvest Jamboree for Columbus area families. This was one of our various service projects that we execute monthly in an effort to achieve our mission in leadership and community service. Although I’ve engaged in a myriad of projects and each has had its own rewarding experiences, this instance was a strong reminder of why I got involved with Mount and the first place and why service is near and dear to my heart.

After spending the day with families from all different backgrounds, it was like a breath of fresh air, the reminder of why service is so important. For a lot of groups, that day was an outing that they wouldn’t get to participate in otherwise. Moreover, it allowed the families to momentarily forget whatever other burdens they may be dealing with and simply enjoy their time together. All in all, helping my community gave me an immense sense of pride for the city I live in; the action of all of us coming together showed how we are truly stronger together and the importance of providing support to those who may not have it. My months in Mount serve as a constant reminder to both my core values and the good in the world, and I’m extremely grateful.

Freshmen Year Timeline

First Semester

  • Joined Mount Leadership Society Scholars
  • Applied for and accepted the position of Morale Captain for BuckeyeThon
  • Completed my first semester as a staff member at the Ohio Leadership Institute
  • Attended the First-Year Mount Leadership Society Scholars Retreat
  • Made Dean’s List

Second Semester

  • Initiated into Delta Delta Delta’s Nu Chapter
  • Assisted in raising over $50,000 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital through Delta Delta Delta
  • Personally fundraised $500 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through BuckeyeThon
  • Participated in BuckeyeThon as a Morale Captain and danced for the kids for 12 hours straight
  • Applied for and accepted position in the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program
  • Made Dean’s List

 

Global Awareness

I am constantly trying to develop my global education and awareness through my involvement with the Ohio Leadership Institute and studying abroad this May. I have been involved with the Ohio Leadership Institute as a student for 7 years and currently am serving my second year as a staff member. The reason I fell in love with the program is due to its matrimony of leadership and global education amongst the youth. It originally gave me my background and general knowledge of the world and now, as a staff member, I can continue to build on this and listen to the ideas of the youth, too. Overall, it helps keep an up-to-date, global perspective at the forefront of my mind. In addition to volunteering at the Ohio Leadership Institute, I plan to study abroad in Europe with my STEP funding in May. Although I am still looking into programs, I am certain whatever opportunity I find will allow me to immerse myself in a new culture and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a part of our world.

Additionally, my courses have allowed me to expand my global mindset, from my past Classical Literature course to my current Business Skills and Environment course. The first allowed me to read numerous European texts that expanded my psyche in learning theirs and peaking my interest in different cultures seen in the Mediterranean.  Then, just recently in my business core curriculum, I took a Global Awareness Survey that we further discussed in lecture about what it means to engage in business in various parts of the world.

I am beyond thankful to be at a school where all institutions encourage a global mindset, as it has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I cannot wait for what adventures I have ahead in the Spring, and am thrilled to continue in Fisher with various courses with an international framework.

“Masterpieces of the Mind”

Masterpieces of the Mind – Classic Literature Response Paper

For my Classic Literature class, my professor challenged us to write about the importance of experiences that we do not need to survive, but life would be lacking without, like watching a sunset or smelling the roses. Immediately I knew I wanted to write about the merit of art and its history not only in my life but the world. In completing this assignment, I came to the realization that I wanted to follow my passion and pursue a minor in the History of Art.

I’ve decided to include my first response paper that helped me find my minor for my first artifact entry. My Introduction to Classic Literature professor, Professor Gregory Jusdanis, always emphasizes to us the significance of the non-essential; he reminds us that life is worth living because of these optional escapades. Because he believes it is so critical to uncover these experiences, he made this the topic to our first paper.

My head was filled with countless ideas: watching baby sea turtles hatch, traveling, and the one I kept coming back to, viewing art. I took my first Art History course my senior year of high school and although it was exigent, I was fervent about the course material. Over the course of the year, I became an avid museum visitor; I wanted to witness the great works of the world that connect us across the span of time. Nonetheless, I just thought of my love for art as a hobby, something I could experience on the side.

Professor Jusdanis’ assignment gave me a new outlook on my fondness of the history of art. Through his assignment, I saw the importance of chasing my passions and doing something I love. Without completing this assignment and truly contemplating my eagerness about art history, I don’t know if I would have decided to obtain my minor. Moreover, the assignment challenged my previously-held view on education and my occupational path, in general. I discovered that there is value in doing what you love and that my passion for art holds just as much (if not more) value to my life as anything else. The fact that this paper and Professor Jusdanis challenged my thought process and psyche and emboldened me to follow what I’m ardent about is monumental. To me, it is what higher education is all about.

In a faculty interview I completed for my Mount Leadership Society Scholars class, Professor Jusdanis provided me with a vast range of advice he would give to first-year students. It was as follows:

“Take time for the things that you think are unimportant, but hold value.”

“Take time for beauty and to not be dependent on technology.”

“Avail yourself of the opportunities that exist outside your field.”

I take these words to heart and encourage every individual to do the same. At Ohio State, I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to pursue two different fields, both of which I treasure. Further, I am lucky enough to have professors who care enough to encourage and dare me to warp my thinking so I am receiving the most from my college experience. All in all, I am lucky enough to have assignments that can make such a profound impact upon my life.

About Me

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Emma Jones is a third-year from New Albany, Ohio, majoring in both Marketing and International Business and minoring in Art History. After finishing her undergraduate career at Ohio State, she plans on pursuing a career in retail and eventually her MBA. Emma is actively involved with her extra curricular activities of Delta Delta Delta, the Greek Programming Board, Mount Leadership Society Scholars, and the FisherDirect community. She has particularly enjoyed fundraising over $50,000 with her sorority for St. Jude’s Research Hospital and all of the fun philanthropy events created to raise such funds. She has also enjoyed developing her marketing skills and fostering her creativity while promoting the strengths of the Greek community as Vice-President of Marketing on the Greek Programming Board. Professionally, she is a member of the PINK Campus Team as a Event Planning Volunteer and was a Marketing Intern at D.A. International Casting Company this past summer. With the first, she loves to combine her passion for retail with vital marketing experience; with the latter, Emma was thrilled to learn the inner workings of a small business and spearhead market research and marketing plan development. When she is not in class or serving her community, Emma enjoys nannying, baking an assortment of pastries, and taking amateur photographs with her iPhone. If you have any questions about generalities or further involvement, please feel free to contact Emma.