On the Right Track
When Emily Murphy ’24 hops off the train in downtown Elmhurst and starts her short walk to Elmhurst University, she feels like the main character in a film. That surreal, inspired energy she experiences when she walks onto campus tells her that this is where she’s meant to be.
When deciding where to transfer after graduating from Waubonsee Community College, Murphy was looking for the perfect combination of location, program and affordability, and Elmhurst offered her all three. Now she’ll acquire the skills and knowledge to excel in both her academic journey and her future career.
Strong Academics and Faculty
Murphy is majoring in fine arts with a focus in sculpture and ceramics. The art studios at Elmhurst were recently overhauled and updated, giving students more modern, personalized spaces where they can work on projects.
Murphy also is impressed with Elmhurst’s engaged faculty, who are active scholars and experts in their fields and can share best practices and professional connections with their students.
“Within the past two years, the fine arts program here has really grown and moved in an ideal direction,” Murphy said. “They’ve hired a lot of new faculty members who have been super involved in the art world, so they are sharing their experiences and helping students get more prepared to work in that world.”
Making the Most of Her Experience
Thanks to a partnership between Elmhurst and Waubonsee, Murphy received a generous scholarship awarded to one student in Waubonsee’s honors program. This meant she could earn her degree from Elmhurst with less financial stress.
The ease of her commute was another determining factor in Murphy’s decision to become a Bluejay.
“Being able to take the train from my hometown to here was the biggest selling point for me,” said Murphy, who takes the Metra from her home right to campus.
With public transportation options and its location near Chicago, Elmhurst is a place for students to build their network and take advantage of services and resources, with access to Chicago’s top companies and fieldwork. This way, students can achieve timeless knowledge and enduring success.
Along with the advantages of being so close to a major city, Elmhurst’s campus is small, safe and nature-filled, all of which caught Murphy’s attention during her visit. She likes the size of the campus and the beauty that surrounds her here. She makes the most of her days and finds joy in the little things, like her commute.
“Walking to and from the train station, I feel like I’m in a movie,” Murphy said. “I can just appreciate the campus.”
As a commuter student, Murphy worried about living so far away and wasn’t sure she could make friends and get involved without staying in the residence halls. However, she quickly realized that she could in fact have the full college experience. With a diverse student body and more than 100 student organizations and activities, Elmhurst University is a caring community that cultivates an inclusive space.
“I was always worried that I’d just be going to class and going home, but then I’d walk around campus and see a poster for an event, and would be able to get involved that way,” Murphy said. “I was able to make a lot of friends and go to events with them. I’ve just had a really great experience both academically and socially.”
Prepared to Achieve Her Dreams
After she graduates in December 2024, Murphy plans to pursue her master’s degree in fine arts so that she can become a professor and share her passions with generations to come. She also wants to show her work in galleries while teaching, and feels that Elmhurst is giving her the tools she needs to achieve those goals.
“My experience at Elmhurst has really set me up to be successful and taught me how to make the most of my education,” Murphy said.
Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step towards your future.