Class of 2024: Lauren Logue

Lauren Logue is a Health Sciences major with a Physician Assistant specialization and minors in Chemistry and American Sign Language from New Windsor, Maryland.

When I took my first step on the Hill, I was: A quiet, shy person who stuck to herself and wouldn’t spend more time on campus than needed. I didn’t think I would be a social person in college and would just stick to academics.

The me who will ring the Old Main bell on Commencement Day is: Someone who has truly come out of her shell, thanks to the encouragement of the many friends that she has made here. The shy, quiet girl is gone, and a confident, passionate, and empowered woman stands in her place.

Real-world experiences: I have had a few experiences, and my favorite would be during the summer of 2023. I was able to conduct research on cobalt complexes with Dr. Craig. Thanks to this experience, I was then able to attend and present my research at the National American Chemical Society conference in New Orleans during the spring of 2024. This experience was amazing, and it allowed me to create connections with others from all around the world, while also vastly broadening my own chemical knowledge.

My aha moment: It took me a while, but through my journey on the Hill I discovered that I did not want to go into the medical field, and instead I loved chemistry and actually want to pursue professorship in chemistry. My real “aha” moment came when I was a teaching assistant, when mid-conversation it clicked, and I realized I wanted to continue teaching and helping the students around me.

Footprints I’m leaving on the Hill: I hope to be remembered as someone who took every opportunity that came her way and was never too scared to try something out of her comfort zone. I hope to inspire those around me to do the same, especially my mentees — y’all are family to me and I will be there for you even after I’ve graduated. McDaniel has an infinite amount of opportunities, so join that club, volunteer when no one else does, go out of your comfort zone, you never know what might happen!

Faculty or staff member who most influenced who I have become: It’s extremely hard to pick, but if I have to, I would say Kyle Engler from the Music department. I have known Kyle longer than any of my other professors, joining her choir my first year. Throughout these four years, Kyle has never stopped supporting me in all I do, and she is just an amazing person. Many times, I would be having a rough day, and Kyle could tell from just one look at me, and we would just talk, and I always felt better. Her influence has helped me be a better person to myself and those around me. I aspire to be like her when I have my own students to guide, and just as a person!

Best class ever: Definitely College Choir, A Cappella, and Gospel Choir. I absolutely love my Chemistry courses, but nothing beats letting go of all the day’s troubles through music. Singing is a big aspect of my life and I feel it’s the time spent relaxing and singing that truly helps me excel in my other classes. The best part about singing at McDaniel is the openness of the choirs. Anyone can join, and even if you think you can’t sing, if you have the passion then that’s all that really matters. Everybody in the choirs is amazing and it’s an extremely friendly environment. I can say for a fact that the best classes at McDaniel are the choirs!

Tell us a little about your activities, including sports, during your years at McDaniel: I have been involved in a lot of things on campus, from being a peer mentor for three years, starting the Ceramics Club, helping to run many other clubs and societies such as Creative Threads and the Chemical Honors Society (GSE), to being a teaching assistant in Chemistry. I have met so many people through these activities and have made so many great friends.

Took me totally by surprise: Just how big this small campus is! Every time I think I know where everything is on campus, I learn of a new location! When I first got here, I didn’t realize North Village was an actual village and had more than just three houses, nor did I know anything about Pennsylvania Avenue or how there’s tons of on-campus housing there. Most surprising location to learn about was Harvey Stone. The pavilion and area around it is beautiful and I often found myself over there with friends to hangout, or for choir when we would rehearse there!

My favorite spot on campus: If you had asked me this question two years ago, I would have told you the third floor of Hoover Library, where as a commuter I often spent hours of my day hanging out with friends (or napping) in between classes. But as of today, my favorite spot on campus would 100% be the fishbowl (Eaton 300). I’ve spent so much time there researching, hanging out with friends, attending and conducting various meetings, or just studying. The vaulted ceiling and giant glass windows lead to a beautiful environment to be in, and being able to see the campus from that high up is gorgeous. Plus, when you’re in the room you feel like a fish!

Most mind-boggling idea I learned at McDaniel: Just how fun Organic Chemistry can actually be! I know O-Chem often gets a bad reputation for being extremely hard, but it’s actually extremely fun! Trying to use different reactions to accomplish my goal, and learning about the different aspects of Orgo was more fun than I could have imagined. One of the things I would often do (and still occasionally do) is work on synthesis when I was bored. I 100% credit the fun of Organic Chemistry to the fantastic Dr. Ferraris; his class is so engaging despite the hard topic, and he treats everyone like family.

My capstone title: “Using Molecular Modeling to Optimize the Inhibition of COVID-19 Proteases using Cobalt(III) Schiff-base Complexes.”

What it’s about in plain talk: I know, I know, “That’s a really long name,” you must be saying, but in plain talk … my research consists of using modeling technology to design effective compounds against the replication proteins of the COVID-19 virus. I selected the best models, and then proceeded to synthesize the cobalt-based complexes. I started by creating Schiff-bases, which were then reacted with cobalt and 2-methyimidazole to create the finished compound. After testing, I found that three of my complexes had a 90% or higher inhibition of the tested replication protein.

What’s next: After graduation (and at least two weeks of well-deserved summer break), I’m planning on attending the University of Maryland to earn my Ph.D. in Chemistry. I then hope to become a professor, just like the ones I have learned so much from here!

How will you stay connected to McDaniel? I will be connected to McDaniel for the rest of my life. Between alumni events, Homecoming, or visiting campus to see friends, I don’t think I will ever truly “leave” McDaniel!

If you received financial aid, what did that mean for you and your family? I am forever grateful to have received financial aid to attend McDaniel. The aid I received has allowed me to graduate virtually debt-free. The financial burden that me and my family may have faced without these grants is no longer an issue and for that I’m forever grateful!