Jake

Activities

• Illini Foresters – club for students interested in forestry and the conservation and management of natural resources
• Varsity Men's Football Team
• Campus Honors Program

One-on-One

Where is your favorite spot on campus to study?
The study lounge on the floor of my residence hall. It's a great
place to shut out the distractions of your room without being far from it.

Where is your favorite spot on campus to hang out with your friends?
The residence halls are the best place to hang out. The doors are always open and everyone is happy just chilling (or playing video games, watching a baseball game, or even studying). The Quad, friends' apartments, and Green Street are great places to hang out too.

Where is your favorite spot on campus to relax?
The overstuffed chairs at Funk ACES Library are amazing for relieving stress and taking a quick nap). The library's good lighting and quiet atmosphere are great for relaxation, studying, or both.

What do you like most about your major?
I came to Illinois because of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences degree with the Forest Sciences concentration. It's a very rewarding and enjoyable science. I'm thrilled that I chose to study it at Illinois. The atmosphere in the department is terrific, too. The department is one of the smaller ones on campus, so in a university so big, students in the department get the best of both worlds.

What are your favorite courses within your major?
NRES 102 taught by Tim Marty has by far been the best class
I've taken at the U of I. Definitely take this course whether you're an NRES major or not. Dr. Marty also does a great job as the advisor for NRES majors.

What are your favorite extracurricular activities related to your major?
Illini Foresters - The club helps keep me involved with the science I'm studying. Undergraduate Research - I approached a professor about doing research related to my major and he was thrilled to help me. Most of the professors are very happy to help undergraduates.

What are your favorite extracurricular activities not related to your major?
Fighting Illini Football

Describe your most memorable experience at Illinois.
The day before classes began is unforgettable. Thousands of students were roaming the campus looking for their classes. I met so many people. Coming from a high school with a graduating class of 61 students, I was thrilled to be around such a large, diverse group of people. I met most of my friends on that day.

What is your advice for students interested in Illinois?
My best advice for prospective students is to visit the campus. Try to make time in your visit to talk to professors and students on your visit. These meetings will provide more insight about the University than the tour or presentations. What they don't show you on the campus tour is Campustown. Walk down Green Street when you visit to get a feel for the campus community. And students should ride a bus around campus and to the shopping mall. I'm convinced that any prospective student will be wearing orange and blue after touring campus, talking to professors and students, and getting a taste of our Campustown and community.

Why do you belong at Illinois?
Everybody belongs at Illinois! My niche is in forest science and
football. I guarantee that Illinois has a niche for everyone. Illinois' campus, people, and education are simply unparalleled.