MORE ABOUT CAITLIN
Graduation Date:
June 2010
Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois
High School:
Lake View
Current Employment:
DePaul University Environmental Science program
Campus Involvement:
- Research with Dr. Potosnak of the Environmental Science program
- Teacher’s assistant for two Environmental Science courses in the past year
Awards & Achievements:
- Volunteer, Think Outside the Bottle campaign
- The Vagina Monologues
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as a horticulturist
Caitlin Schulze
Area of Study:
Environmental Science
I chose my major because… I took an Environmental Science class as a senior in high school and found the material fascinating, challenging and demanding attention and solutions. I never liked the uncertainties that science presented and the constant questioning one must ask in science, but this class showed me that these questions presented in science are seeking answers. I now am enthralled by the uncertainties in science and that has made my major that much more challenging for me, and I love challenges.
My favorite thing to do on campus is… Eat. There are a variety of restaurants around DePaul that offer different foods. I am a vegetarian and have never had a problem finding food that is cheap, delicious, and close to campus.
I decided to attend DePaul because… I grew up two blocks from DePaul and I remember walking by the Lincoln Park campus when I was younger. I loved the atmosphere that surrounded DePaul, and I loved the opportunities DePaul presented. DePaul’s small classes and vast array of science classes and research opportunities made DePaul stand out when considering universities.
My favorite professor at DePaul is… Dr. Kashina. She was my Calculus 151 and Multivariable Calculus 260 professor. She was easily accessible and extremely helpful with any questions or concerns students had. She made it difficult to not enjoy the subject, one in which I first struggled with, and now I hope to pursue a math minor.
When I have free time, I like to… attend concerts and plays; I have been to more than I would want to count. I have met one of my favorite authors, David Sedaris, and saw one of his plays. My favorite play was one that I went to over break called “The David Bowie Hepzikat Funky Velvet Flarney Solstice Spectacular, Live... From Space!”
The greatest thing about going to school in Chicago is… the juxtaposition of nature and the urban environment. Chicago blossoms in the spring and it is difficult to stay indoors when there is so much happening outside. I love the little neighborhoods throughout Chicago that offer so much personality and a sense of a community feeling.
Studying as an Environmental Sciences major appealed to me because… I remember in one of my Environmental Sciences classes, the students were discussing why they decided to study Environmental Science. I had never thought about it, but it occurred to me that I was interested in more than plants and nature, but that I was interested in studying the interactions between organisms and I was interested in solving problems.
The new McGowan South Sciences building… provides a community feeling for the sciences that previously had smaller departments and spaces and allows them access to newer equipment and more space. The Environmental Science program was housed in the McGowan North building prior to the new McGowan South building and the program had one research lab for all faculty members. The new building presents opportunity for more students by providing more space for faculty to expand their research. There are little plaques around the building that explain how specific components of the building were made or are used that make the building a green building. It seems that every corner you turn there is a little educational snippet about environmentalism, conservation and the construction of the building. These plaques are not only interesting to read and learn about, but also educate everyone about what qualifications we should consider when constructing a building, and how nature is important in this process. Education is important, because education can be spread continuously. I believe this is the most environmentally conscious thing the new building presents: the chance to repeatedly learn from the knowledge it presents.
After graduation, I plan to… attend graduate school and continue my studies in Environmental Science, but to delve deeper into a chemical perspective. I am currently looking at graduate schools in central California and the New England area.
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