Senior Salute: Vinny DiLeo

Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Vinny DiLeo, a biology major from Trumbull, Connecticut. DiLeo is a member of the men's lacrosse team.

Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I chose Wooster because it provided an opportunity to balance academics and athletics. 

Q: What does being a Fighting Scot student-athlete mean to you?
A: Being a Fighting Scot means always attacking and never being full.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: My favorite memories include the late-night practices at John P. Papp Stadium, long Lowry meals, and golfing on the weekends.  

Q: What is the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: The best part about being a student-athlete is the camaraderie that comes along with being on a team. There are built-in friendships as soon as you step on campus. If there is anything you need, you have 50 teammates who are happy to help.  

Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I am a member of the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and I volunteer at Goodwill Industries. I also conducted undergraduate research with Dr. Rebecca Williams.

Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Although many Wooster faculty and staff have made an impact on me, Dr. Rick Lehtinen has had the greatest impact being my Independent Study advisor.  

Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people and resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: I believe my lacrosse coach, Eric Seideman, has had a profound effect on my success at Wooster. Specifically, he established weekly meetings where Wooster alumni are asked to speak and provided advice in their respective professions. He has also connected me with numerous internship opportunities in physical therapy.

Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: My I.S. focuses on studying the relationship between a poisonous dart frog species and tropical plant in which it breeds in. I am specifically looking to understand how the plant species is affected by interacting with these frogs. 

Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I conducted undergraduate research with Dr. Rebecca Williams during my sophomore and junior year. This research allowed me to hone my skills in data analysis and writing. Our research findings were published in the journal Aquatic Toxicology. 

Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what advice would you give your first-year self?
A: Reflecting on my time here, I would advise my younger self to trust the process. Things can get very overwhelming, but it is important to take a second and enjoy the ride.

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