Throwing Strikes: How One Bearcat Bowler Represented Team USA While Pursuing Her Master's Degree
Being a college student is definitely challenging; however, it’s arguably tougher
to be a graduate student. After all, graduate students often have more responsibilities
they need to tend to on a daily basis – their work, their family life, bills, and
more – and this is on top of their demanding coursework. It can be even more challenging
when you’re participating on a team sport. Lauren Pate ’19, a current graduate student
at McKendree, shows that working toward a graduate degree while juggling a team sport
and other responsibilities is more than possible. Read about her story below!
Why Lauren Chose to Make It McKendree
Lauren chose to become a Bearcat not only because she wanted to be on the bowling
team but also because of how the campus itself made her feel. “Even if I weren’t on
the bowling scholarship, I would’ve come to McKendree because it felt like home the
second I set foot on campus,” she recalled. “Once I saw they had counseling as a graduate
degree, I knew I needed to apply as soon as possible.”
While Lauren was an undergraduate student, she was a proud member of the bowling team.
In fact, she was a part of the team who won two national championships in one week,
the team that brought home McKendree’s first-ever NCAA National Championship and trophy in 2017. Lauren went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
with an emphasis in social welfare and social justice in 2019. She is currently earning
her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and is expected to graduate in May 2022.
Finding Her Calling in Social Work and Counseling
Lauren has always had a passion for helping others, which is a large reason why she
chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology, but she received additional motivation
after tragedy struck in her family. “In 2015, I lost my cousin to a mental illness,
which motivated me to help those who are suffering from mental illnesses, such as
counseling or social work,” she said. “Once I saw that McKendree had the clinical
mental health counseling program, I knew I needed to apply and pursue a career within
that field.”
Lauren’s ultimate counseling goal once she graduates is to own her own practice or
treatment center, or become a clinical director of a treatment center.
Using Helpful Skills to Conquer Obstacles
No one ever said that earning a graduate degree would be easy. Even Lauren has found
it to be a difficult road at times. “It has been hard to juggle everything at once,”
she said. “When I applied for graduate school, I had envisioned a plan of how things
were going to work out, which included me to be bowling a lot. Unfortunately with
the additional responsibilities, that is not what occurred. When I realized how much
time graduate school consumed of my life, bowling was put on the back burner for some
time.”
Bowling, however, couldn’t remain on the sidelines for long in Lauren’s life. “Bowling,
to me, is a passion and something that helps me on my darkest days,” she said. “I
learned how to manage my time better and make deadlines even sooner, just so I can
get that extra time in on the lanes. I know when I have time, I will always be in
the bowling center, whether I’m practicing or competing.”
Whenever Lauren has hard days, bowling definitely helps her refocus; however, she
also draws inspiration from Shannon O’Keefe, the head coach of McKendree’s women’s
bowling team. “She has been my role model since I committed to McKendree,” Lauren
noted. “She has seen me on my tough days and made sure I was okay or checked in on
me, especially when I was going through the hard time of not being able to bowl and
compete as much as I could before. She and I have a bond that not many people have,
and for that I am grateful.”
Answering the Call to Represent Team USA
It’s not every day that an athlete gets the opportunity to represent their country
while competing for medals. In October, Lauren competed as a member of Team USA at
the 2021 PANAM Bowling Elite Championships. Even sweeter is the fact that she competed
on her 25th birthday, alongside her former McKendree teammate, Breanna Clemmer ‘21, as loved
ones looked on and cheered. “It felt like I was back bowling with her in college!”
she said. “We worked well together and I enjoyed every moment of bowling with her.
We won the team event by 450 pins, and we were able to bring home the win.” Lauren
also brought home a gold medal in doubles and team events, along with a bronze medal
in trios.
“It was such a great experience – one that I will never forget,” Lauren added. “Being
able to represent my country is an absolute dream come true. I have dreamt of that
moment since I was a little girl bowling Saturday morning league.”
Lauren’s Advice for Making the Impossible Possible at McKendree
One piece of advice that Lauren would like to give athletes who are pursuing their
careers is to take every opportunity they get when it comes to their sport. “It’s
not every day that you will get a phone call to represent your country or travel across
the country competing in your sport, and taking that opportunity will open another
chapter in your life,” she said. “There are always going to be people who support
every decision you’ve made, and I am forever grateful that I was able to take this
opportunity while earning my graduate degree.”
