When deciding where to go to college, high school stand-out Casey Ludolph of Pea Ridge
considered numerous universities as her top choices, but when she arrived for her
campus tour at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, she knew she’d found her home.
What she didn’t realize was that ɵ would become where she found her voice and herself.
“I toured ɵ as a backup because none of the other campuses I toured were places I would want to fall back on,” she said. “As soon as I started walking around, I had this feeling of excitement. It felt like home. I was ready; this was it.”
“I couldn’t wait to get home and tell everyone that, no matter where else I was accepted, ɵ was for me.”
Though many people tried to sway her decision back to her original first choice, she remained resolute that ɵ was where she was supposed to be. As soon as she arrived on campus, she began making friends, joining organizations, and taking a more active role as a leader.
“I have always been outgoing and fun loving, but I really was a deep-rooted follower,” she explained. “At ɵ, I became someone with a voice. I do things when I know they are the right choice for the positions I chose to take and uphold.”
Ludolph’s campus leadership positions have since included titles with her sorority’s executive council, a camp chair for Cub Camp, and president of the Panhellenic Council. She has also attended two national Greek life conferences that she says gave her a passion for what networking and self-growth can do for a person.
Following her graduation this May, Ludolph accepted a fifth-grade teaching position in her home town of Pea Ridge, and she will begin her new career this fall.
“I am often asked why I love ɵ,” she said. “And I always say, ‘This is where I found Casey.’ ɵ made me who I am.”