Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Ann Venditti, a biology major from Lexington, Massachusetts. Venditti is a member of the women's lacrosse team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I chose to attend The College of Wooster for the campus environment and the ability to play a sport while taking academics seriously. I wanted to be able to continue playing the sport I love while being a biology major with a research project that will set me up for future research.
Q: What does being a Fighting Scot student-athlete mean to you?
A: Being a Fighting Scot student-athlete means I get to be part of something bigger than just a peer. I am an athlete, a teammate, a role model, a friend, and a student.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Some favorite memories have been all of the field trips during various biology labs I have taken. I saw my first wild eagle on one of my field trips to a nature reserve. I have also loved being able to support my fellow athletes and them supporting me as well.
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 here is the community built around athletes. Everyone on my team has been able to push me to be a better person on the field and academically.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I am part of the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and in a service house partnered with Goodwill Industries of Wayne County.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. Jennifer Ison is my Independent Study advisor, and she has made a big impact on my life by helping me through the process of graduate school applications and my research. I did not start out confident with research, but Dr. Ison has helped me come to the realization that I can conduct independent work.
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: My coach, Elizabeth Ford, has impacted me in a way that has allowed me to gain confidence in what I do as well as show me the importance of drive and accomplishing goals.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: My I.S. focuses on how bumblebees move pollen across flowers while they forage. I am using the breakthrough technique quantum dots and applying to pollen. It causes the pollen to fluoresce for easy tracking under a microscope.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I interned at an aquarium in Missouri over the summer and was able to be partially funded with an APEX Fellowship. I have also been able to visit new states and make a bunch of memories as a part of my team's spring break trips.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what advice would you give your first-year self?
A: I would tell myself not to be afraid of having the confidence to be yourself. I would also say to invest in multiple wrist braces, no explanation needed.
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