by Maddie Bentley
Lakeland senior writing major
Jordan August is a senior at Lakeland University majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Studio Art. She has been involved in various organizations around campus including the Lakeland Muskie Softball team and the Beta Psi Nu sorority.
August shared her experience as a student, athlete, and most importantly as a young adult experiencing her new adulthood.
When asking August to look back on her overall experience from freshman to senior, she elaborated on how she has met so many people throughout the years and feels more comfortable as a student and an athlete because of how well-rounded those connections made her. She has become close with many of her teammates, sorority sisters, and other peers.
August went into further detail about her experience on the Muskie softball team. “It went by a lot faster than I thought it would. Over the years, I learned a lot of real-life skills, discipline, leadership, and communication. As a freshman, I was scared of how everything was going to be, but sophomore year through now I am comfortable, outgoing, and confident.” August learned how to overcome adversity and challenge herself when new tasks came her way.
August has an overall batting average of .300, an on-base percentage of .350, 46 total RBIs, and an almost-perfect fielding percentage of .997.
A challenge that is faced by collegiate athletes is the constant change in roster whether it be freshman/transfer players or people stepping away from the team. “You never know who is gonna stay and who is gonna leave as the years go on so you have to be able to build new friendships when needed and avoid clicks,” August said speaking about ways to overcome different variations of adversity.
One way the Muskie softball team helps to avoid challenges is by not tolerating drama. August shared that because of this, it has impacted her personal chemistry with the team and has positively shaped the program.
“I'm involved in a lot of things on campus and I am on top of everything which sets a good example for my teammates and sorority sisters.”
August went on to elaborate on her experience outside of softball and shared that she joined the Beta Psi Nu sorority as a junior here at Lakeland. “I felt locked down to do one thing on campus. Taking the risk to join really is the best thing I’ve ever done.” She also went on to add that being a part of this community helped her to take on a leadership role as well as getting close with people involved in other sports and, in general, expanding her connections and networking. Being a part of her sorority had felt like yet another family that she was a part of.
August closed by talking about one thing she wouldn’t take for granted if she got to relive her whole college experience, again.
“I’m a big napper but if I would go to college again, I would take fewer naps and go out and connect with more people and get out more.”
