Lauren Rodts sits in the College of Business hallway of the Academic Center and stops talking just long enough to smile and wave at other students rushing to get to class. Her favorite thing about Manchester has always been the people. And they’re the reason that Lauren chose Manchester in the first place. After touring large universities and being disappointed, she decided to leave her hometown of Mishawaka, Ind., and attend Manchester because of the accounting program and the small community.
“In a really cheesy way I found myself here,” Lauren says. “I was able to form my own opinions, find people that understand me, and find a major I love. The professors, the staff and my friends are so great. Every experience I've had has only been so good because of those people.”
Of course, when Lauren tells of her best memories at Manchester, it all has to do with her community involvement. “May Day events are always the best. I’m on a mud volleyball team every year,” she says. “Helping with alumni events, midnight Casey’s runs, and going to different sporting events are also fun memories. I just like being with friends.”
Earning an accounting major and a communication studies minor, Lauren will begin taking her CPA exam in May. She already has a job lined up as an auditor at RSM, one of the nation’s top accounting firms. “A lot of my upper-level accounting classes translate directly to some of the things I've done in internships,” she says. “So going into different programs and trying to get a job, I already understand and can apply the concepts that they want.”
Lauren is getting good work experience with campus jobs in the Physical Education and Recreation Center and the Office of Financial Services. She also has been very involved in student activities including tennis; as a Student Orientation Leader; with Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow; the Academic Integrity Panel; the College of Business Club’s Community Outreach Committee; and the College of Business where she serves as the Director of Ambassadors. Lauren also fosters the service dog Russ, who receives advanced training on campus through MU’s 4 Paws for Ability program.
“Manchester is a great community where you really have time to work on yourself. There are people that care about your improvement, people who never push you in a direction you don’t want to go. They care about how they can help you improve and give you the best opportunities.”
By Teresa Masteller ’18