Marc Propst ’19 wishes that he, as a freshman, could have seen the person he’s become today.
Propst said he’s more mature, less stubborn, and better at building bridges than he was four years ago . He’s also found a second family at the University of Lynchburg, and he’s spent the past few years working on initiatives he hopes leave Lynchburg a better place.
“I actually made my personal motto, ‘Solution-oriented, people-driven,’” Propst said. “This is really who I am. I’m dedicated to figuring out solutions because I want to help everyone. I wanted to leave a legacy of positive growth and development within the University.”
Propst applied to several colleges four years ago, but his dream was to attend the Naval Academy and work in the military. That was, until he took a tour of Lynchburg College.
“I did a tour and, honestly, something inside me was like, ‘Yes. You’re meant to be here,’” he said.
As a sophomore at Lynchburg, Propst helped organize a “listening forum,” to give students a venue to express concerns regarding diversity and inclusion on campus. That led to the creation of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Propst was involved in drafting a strategic plan for OEI, and he co-founded the Student Diversity Council.
He worked with Dr. Pat Aronson, an athletic training professor who was updating the University’s “Safe Space” training. Dr. Aaron Smith ’05, ’07 MEd, ’18 EdD, Lynchburg’s diversity and inclusion officer, became a mentor. Propst met with him often to discuss how to strengthen a culture that respects diversity.
“My work in diversity and inclusion really broadened me to knowing so many people on campus,” Propst said. “I enjoy the diversity and inclusion world because I can get a bunch of different perspectives and try to bring them in and include them every way that I can.”
Propst has made a difference off campus, too. This year, he worked with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance to build a leadership development program for the region’s college seniors. This led to an opportunity to write a diversity and inclusion statement for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management.
Working in the business-development world opened Propst’s eyes to a lot of ways he could direct his career. “I learned a lot in terms of my own personal growth and development, being able to analyze a business, understand what a business needs, and promote the business,” he said.
He wrote his senior political science paper about economic development in the Lynchburg area, and he is looking at job opportunities “from Florida to New York” in economic development at chambers of commerce and universities.
Wherever he ends up, he plans to combine his personal motto, “Solution-oriented, people-driven,” with a sign that hangs in his room: “Never stop moving forward.”
“There’s so much more to learn. There’s so much more room to grow,” Propst said. “‘Never stop moving forward’ really is the crux.”
He also plans to keep tabs on the University of Lynchburg as it becomes more diverse and inclusive. He’s proud that he played a role in moving that development forward.
“We know that we are a family and if we need each other, then we have each other’s backs,” Propst said. “I think it’s going to continue to grow.”
Class of 2019 Commencement Spotlights
‘Solution-oriented, people-driven’ senior hopes to build bridges for inclusion
Marc Propst ’19 wishes that he, as a freshman, could have seen the person he’s become today. Propst said he’s more mature, less stubborn, and better at building bridges than […]
After internship with alumni, senior plans on dental school
Chris Blake ’19 cut his teeth on dental work with the help of two alumni during his senior year. The baseball player and biomedical science from Hartfield, Virginia, interned at […]
Peace Corps next adventure for three 2019 grads
Each year, the Peace Corps receives 18,000 applications and accepts only 4,000 people for service positions abroad. This year, three of the 4,000 volunteers fulfilling their passions for humanitarian work are soon-to-be University of Lynchburg alumni.
Oorah! Graduates headed to U.S. Marine Corps
Shortly after graduating from the University of Lynchburg this Saturday, Renee Banks and Endasia Mitchell will head off for careers in the U.S. Marine Corps.
MSAT student in line for a national research award
On Friday, C.J. Rosenborough will graduate with his Master of Science in Athletic Training. Eight weeks later, he’ll be in Washington, D.C., presenting research for a national conference of strength […]
Hill Award winner ‘in a state of absolute gratefulness’
When Samah Rash ’19 received the email that she had won the 2019 Robert L. Hill Distinguished Senior Award she ran down the halls of Hobbs-Sigler looking for someone to share the news with.
Job offer in hand, financial economics major ready for career and lifelong learning
Rebecca Taylor called her professors “super gifted” and said they “go above and beyond to help students.” As she graduates, she said she will miss the routine of having class every day and the opportunity to take random classes to explore new ideas, but she looks forward to cultivating the interests shes developed at Lynchburg.
Next stop, Hawaii: Psychology major heading to first-choice PhD program
After she graduates from the University of Lynchburg this month with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Katie Roderick ’19 is headed to the University of Hawaii to pursue a PhD in behavioral neuroscience.
Lynchburg senior works with hundreds of artifacts in Historic Sandusky lab
In an archaeology lab at Historic Sandusky, Eric Taylor ’19 sifts through a brown paper bag filled with relics from the past. He brushes them gently with a toothbrush to […]
