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Student Snapshot: Damien Labrada ’27

Damien Labrada ’27 had a busy first year at Dickinson as an international-studies major, track and field thrower, and amateur musician. In addition to earning top grades, he also found time to develop valuable leadership skills with like-minded students. Below, he discusses those experiences and the strong sense of community he’s found on campus.

Hometown:

Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania.

Major:

International studies, with a minor in Chinese and a certificate in security studies.

Clubs and organizations:

Track and field, Alpha Lambda Delta and the Music Society.

Honors/scholarships/awards:

Curley Scholarship.

Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:

The best thing about my Dickinson experience so far is the community. I’ve made so many close friends from places I never would have expected. There are also so many resources and people dedicated to the success of the community. It truly feels like a family.  

On choosing Dickinson:

After I visited Dickinson for the first time, it was an easy decision to make. Between its beautiful campus and its academic rigor, Dickinson felt like home to me. I was also very fortunate to be recruited to the track and field team, which provided the best opportunity to pursue my academic interests while continuing to do the sport I love. 

On learning to lead:

This past year I had the privilege of participating in Dickinson’s Emerging Leaders Retreat, where I met with campus leaders and other members of my class year who have the same drive to bring our community together and make a difference.

Fun fact about me:

I have been taking electric-bass lessons through Dickinson’s performance-studies program. Because of this, I developed a new appreciation for music, and I will continue to be an active member of the music department.

Favorite class so far:

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Michael Beevers’ Environments, Conflicts, and Peace class was my favorite so far because it forced me to think outside the box about what it means for a nation to be secure. Professor Beevers is an expert in environmental security and peacebuilding, and he shares his passion with his students. I looked forward to the enthusiastic discussions we'd have in class, and I have a new interest in the causes and relationships between conflicts and peace.

Most important thing I’ve learned so far:

Never underestimate yourself and the power of an optimistic attitude. Nowadays, it feels so easy to give up just because something seems difficult or because you’ve been told that it's impossible. Once you truly understand that you can do anything you set your mind to, the sky’s the limit.

Read more .

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS 

Published July 11, 2024