Lehigh University:

Cameron Copeland

For Cameron Copeland '08, an integrated business and engineering honors program major, taking advantage of the activities that Lehigh has to offer and forging strong, lasting friendships is an essential part of his overall educational experience.

"I felt as though it was an integral part of my education at Lehigh to take advantage of the activities and people around me because it is not often that we are presented with such a wide array of options and potential experiences," says Copeland. "I wanted to meet new people and help form the type of community that I am looking for on Lehigh's campus."

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Copeland grew up in London, England.  "These activities and the friends that I have made through them have become my family at Lehigh," he says, "the people that I care about and enjoy spending time with each day."

Copeland currently is a member of the Novice Men's Crew team; Leadership Lehigh; Global Union; Conversations on Race; IBE Council; Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity.  He is also a Gryphon, a Rossin Junior Fellows and a Break the Silence sexual violence peer educator and hotline volunteer.

Copeland says that the responsibilities and engagements he has chosen to undertake at Lehigh challenged him to manage his time and make difficult choices between conflicting roles and events that he could work on. "I have learned that one cannot have everything or participate in everything that we want," he says.  "I must pick and choose to what degree I become involved in different events and organizations, and what roles I will play within them."

He adds, "I am on a journey of self discovery slowly opening up and learning more about how I work each day because of these clubs and organizations. As a leader I am ready to step forward when the team needs leadership but equally I am always ready to fill the role that is empty on a team that already has a leader. I do not make it my mission to assume leadership within every organization rather to support those institutions and my values in whatever way possible."

Copeland believes that all students should be involved in student life because campus involvement helps to build school spirit and a common bond with others.

"Getting involved outside of the classroom is how you meet people and make new friends, the way to feeling comfortable as a part of the community," he says. "I firmly believe that my education is what I make of it, professors can only go so far, and have only so many periods to teach. I know that I need to take my education into my own hands and not rest on my laurels expecting others to take care of me and coddle me all the way through life."