Connect with Erin

Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Lincoln, Nebraska
Major:
Multimedia Production & Journalism

What advice would you give new students?

What has been one of your fondest memories at Drury?

How had Drury prepared you for life after college?


Student Spotlight: Meet Erin Dolan

"Being an athlete at Drury is a unique experience..."

As a member of the Drury Women's Swimming & Diving team, senior Erin Dolan knows the meaning of hard work. Between classes and swim practice, she has little free time, but for her, the sacrifice is worth it. She's enjoyed new experiences and learned about much more than what can be taught in the classroom.

In the Pool

Both the men's and women's swimming & diving teams have won the Division II NCAA Swimming & Diving competition each year since Erin was a freshman. And according to Erin, the women's team captain, the plans are for that unprecedented winning streak to continue.

"You're swimming for your team," she says. "Everyone's on the side cheering. And Drury has the biggest crowd. You walk into the deck and everyone sees you're wearing Drury and everyone turns and looks, because they know that you're the team to beat."

Before deciding to attend Drury, Erin had committed to a Division I university in Wisconsin. But after her recruitment visit to Drury, she had changed her mind. Erin realized that she didn't want to be "another number" at a large school. Instead, she wanted her classmates and professors to know her as a person. She wanted to be somebody.

"If you swim or do anything at a Division II program, you're going to get more out of it than going to a big university. It's not just school, it's your life."

In the Classroom

Because swimming is such an important part of her life, sometimes it becomes a part of her education as well. As a Multimedia Production & Journalism major, Erin has created projects for classes that spotlight her love for swimming. Using the skills she learned in her classes, Erin created both a website and a recruiting video for the Drury Swimming & Diving teams. The video was posted on the Drury Athletics website, drurypanthers.com, allowing the world to see Erin's hard work.

Professors have been invaluable to Erin with help on projects like the website and recruitment video. From her advisor, Jonathan Groves, who she goes to with any questions she has, to her freshman year Alpha professor Dr. John Taylor - or 'JTay' as many call him - Erin's professors have helped her throughout her four years at Drury.

"That's what I love about Drury. Your professors get to know you for you… That sets Drury apart for sure."

Discover More