Challenging Times: LSU Engineering Student Offers Optimism
April 2, 2020
BATON ROUGE, LA – Never in a million years did LSU Mechanical Engineering freshman
Elena Harris expect to be taking online classes during her second semester at LSU.
The Baton Rouge native, along with nearly 5,000 other LSU engineering students, is
having to adjust to a new style of learning amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Though it’s
a big change for Harris and other students, they are figuring out how to adjust during
this unprecedented time.
“I am a little upset about the coronavirus messing up my freshman year plans,” Harris said, “but I will not let it discourage me.”
Harris, a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High, always knew she wanted to attend LSU. She says it was the school’s spirit that really captured her heart.
“I love the spirit at LSU,” she said. “It’s a large campus but there’s a unity among the students simply because we all go here. I really couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”
One thing she loves is the comradery in the College of Engineering, with its events that allow the students to display their research and hard work, though that will be put on hold this spring.
“I love this college because all of the students are being challenged together, allowing us to grow closer because of the shared struggle of engineering,” she said. “And PFT [Patrick F. Taylor Hall] is pretty cool. It’s almost like my home.”
Harris chose to major in ME because she has a knack for physics and enjoys applying it to everyday life. ME would also allow her to pursue a job in a different field, such as oceanography or marine conservancy, which she is interested in after graduating.
Though busy with her engineering classes, Harris is also a member of the college’s Society of Peer Mentors, which she joined after attending LSU’s Encounter Engineering Bridge Camp.
“I became involved with SPM because I wanted to join a diverse group of like-minded people,” she said. “I like volunteering with them because it allows me to volunteer for things that interest me, and there are so many things [to do] that I never feel stagnant.”
As do most of the students, Harris looks forward to things getting back to normal at LSU. Until then, she remains optimistic about the current situation.
“I think that if we are prudent and heed the advice of the healthcare professionals, we will hopefully put an end to this crisis soon.”
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Contact: Libby Haydel
Communications Specialist