Picture Kinnick Stadium in late October. A sea of black and gold swells to frenzy and is accompanied by a giant roar as Iowa scores another touchdown. Students from all walks of life are united in one moment of proud belonging. This is their time, their team. For junior Audrey Scranton, the unique experience of a homecoming football game at The University of Iowa was the first in a series of occasions where she proved her own individuality amidst a crowd. “It was my first football game ever and”—Audrey pauses, searching for words—“well, it was interesting from a sociological point of view.” She laughs, “I sort of had this weird feeling of being outside of a culture in my own culture. Don’t get me wrong, the enthusiasm is great, really contagious. But some of the hand gestures,” she attempts a demonstration and gives up, “I just couldn’t follow.”
Audrey was drawn to Iowa because of its size. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to major in or anything like that,” she says, “but I knew I wanted to go to a big school.” All it took after that was one class about communication in everyday life with Professor Steve Duck to get her hooked on the field of communications. “The best professors I have had here are the ones, like Professor Duck, who really cared that the students learned the material and were very clear about what they were teaching.” As an afterthought, she adds, “And a lot of them have been really funny.”
Audrey has had many diverse and exciting experiences in her two and a half years at Iowa. Last year, she volunteered at the Crisis Center, helping to pass food out to people who needed it. Her favorite part of the job was that she got to know different people and interact with them. “It’s exactly what I’m interested in,” she says, smiling. To try something new, Audrey decided that this year, she would volunteer at the patient’s library at UI Hospitals and Clinics. “Students need to branch out,” Audrey states. “College is really a chance to discover new interests. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I came, and branching out is how I found my interests.”
What’s more, Audrey has even bigger plans for the rest of her undergraduate career. In 2010, she worked with “Invisible Children,” and made posters to help raise awareness and stop child soldiering in Uganda. “At some point while I’m here, I really want to study abroad, preferably in Africa.” When asked how her parents feel about it, she laughs. “I’m still working on convincing them. My friends already think I’m crazy, but I really want to go.” Audrey may color outside the lines, but one thing is for sure: she's an up-and-comer who won’t be stopped!
By Lauren Van Sant