Renee Soika smiles

Major: Computer science

Co-curriculars: Peer tutor for statistics and computer science, software engineering TA, EXCEL Scholar, Confluent software engineering intern, Upsilon Pi Epsilon

Post-graduation plans: Working for Confluent remotely as a software engineer on the Cloud Manageability team

What's the most important thing you learned at Lafayette?

I’m from a small town where virtually everyone has the same cultural background. Lafayette gave me the opportunity to get to know people with diverse cultures and experiences. I was able to learn about and appreciate others’ traditions, and how they view the world differently.

What one lesson or memory from Lafayette will remain with you for the rest of your life?

After class at RISC, I often walked along the Quad while heading to Skillman Library to study. I’ll always remember how bright, pristine, and colorful the Quad looks, especially in the early fall and spring. It’s always full of energy when the weather is nice.

What advice would you give to high school students who are considering Lafayette?

Lafayette advertises the small class sizes and personal relationships you develop within the departments, as opposed to large and impersonal lecture halls. That has held true in my experience, as I’ve gotten to know the professors and many of the students in the department. It’s important to consider whether you want that experience at a smaller college like Lafayette versus the experience you would have at a larger school.

Student Spotlight

Meet the 2023 valedictorians

Congratulations to these 15 academic stars, who are poised to take on the world and make a difference across a gamut of professional fields.

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Categorized in: Academic News, Class of 2023, Commencement 2023, Computer Science, News and Features, Student Profiles, Students