“I had many family members who went to the U and growing up, I was always intrigued by what they would tell me about the school’s programs. I was drawn to the outdoor community at the U, as well as the university’s culture. As I was deciding where I wanted to go to school, I loved the way everyone is accepted at the U and encouraged to pursue their individual interests. That was something I didn’t find anywhere else.

I am majoring in communications and cultural studies. I would like to work in the humanitarian arm of companies. When I was six years old, I wanted to start my own business and my mom guided me in the direction of doing something that would help other people. The charity I created is called Eliza’s Hearts for Haiti. Each Valentine’s Day, I do a fundraiser for Healing Hands for Haiti. This organization trains Haitians in physical and occupational therapy to help people who have lost limbs. It also provides prosthetics.

About a year and a half ago, I was able to host an event at the U to raise money for Helping Hands for Haiti with the support of other students and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Institute of Religion. I loved being able to look at the dream I had and find a way to get there with the support of the community I have at the university.  

When I was six, I don’t know that I grasped the whole vision of what I was doing. I am grateful for the people around me who did have that vision and were able to help me create something bigger than myself. Now that I am at the U, I am grateful for all the opportunities I have for community engagement, especially at the Bennion Center. I am still figuring out what opportunities for involvement there are, but just knowing there are so many available is amazing.”

— Eliza Stewart, a sophomore studying communications and cultural studies from Liberty, Utah