Name: Neema Mawiyoo ’07
Major: Global Studies
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Activities: Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, African Student Union, Laurentian Singers, Sesquicentennial Committee, Community Assistant

“I think St. Lawrence found me when I was doing my college search,” Neema Mawiyoo says with a laugh. “I was in the middle of plans to study in South Africa when I learned of the University. I applied in October for an early acceptance; I heard within a week that I was accepted and had all my financial needs met. St. Lawrence seemed like it could accommodate me and my needs with its academic programs, particularly global studies and music, and it had co-curricular activities that interested me,” she continues. “I could see St. Lawrence and me making memories together.”

Mawiyoo says that she loves the fact that while at St. Lawrence she has the opportunity to embrace her passion for life and learn about people and the ideas that shape each one of them. “As often as the opportunity presents itself, I enjoy some very meaningful conversations with students, staff and faculty,” Mawiyoo explains. “Some places on this campus are important to me because of the people I met and the bonds formed there, like the HEOP office and the International House (I-House).”

Mawiyoo helps form those bonds when she performs as a Laurentian Singer and in gospel concerts. She ran a tie-dye workshop, and took part in an African fashion show.

It turns out that Mawiyoo was able to study in South Africa after all. Last summer she conducted research there on a University-sponsored Tanner Fellowship, on the topic “Protest Music Ten Years Before, and Ten Years After 1994: A Turning Point in South Africa 's Music Scene?”