Olivia Rauh is a senior from Washington, D.C. Rauh is a Political Science and Philosophy and Religion double concentration. Although she always knew she wanted to be a Political Science concentrator, Rauh’s interest in Philosophy and Religion developed while she was at Colgate.

“I became interested in those subjects after I took Core India and Ethics my freshman year,” Rauh said. “Once I found out there was a combo major where you take five religion and five philosophy classes, I decided to go for it.”

On campus, Rauh is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and served as their social chair during Spring 2014 through Fall 2015.  She also works as a Political Science research assistant for Assistant Professor of Political Science Professor Valerie Morkevicius. Rauh was recruited to play tennis for Colgate out of high school, and one of the greatest parts of Rauh’s Colgate experience was playing on the varsity tennis team.

“My biggest on-campus commitment was playing on the women’s varsity tennis team for two and a half years,” Rauh said. “I left second semester junior year to focus on schoolwork and getting into law school. I really loved being on the team and dropping tennis was definitely the hardest decision I’ve made at Colgate.”

Of all her experiences at Colgate, though, Rauh’s favorite memory took place this past fall, at the sit-in.

“Despite the many challenges, the five days and multiple nights I spent in admissions were by far my most rewarding at Colgate,” Rauh said. “It was an inclusive, accepting and diverse safe space unlike any other, and I made friendships with incredible people from different grades and with different interests that I might never have met otherwise.”

Rauh will be starting at University of Pennsylvania Law School in the fall and hopes to become a public interest or civil rights lawyer. Rauh believes that she is prepared her for life after Colgate.

“Looking forward, I think having to work hard for good grades will translate into discipline and determination in the workplace,” Rauh said. “And I’m sure the art of the all-nighter will come in handy at law school.” 

In the middle of her final semester at Colgate, Rauh knows that what she will ultimately miss most about Colgate is her friends.

“It is scary to think that come graduation, we will all be heading off to entirely different places to start jobs or graduate school,” Rauh said.

Lastly, Rauh had some advice for her underclassmen peers.

“As a senior trying to complete a Colgate bucket list and running out of time, I’d say take advantage of all the opportunities and experiences at Colgate—especially brown bags, lectures or events on topics outside of your comfort zone.”