Jillian Tholen
Class of 2010

Hometown: Tracy, MN

Major: Biology

Extracurricular Activities: Cross Country & Track

How and why did you choose your major?
I want to be a naturopathic doctor. It seems that to be pre-med, one needs to take quite a bit of biology, so I guess it was just the natural choice.

Looking back on last year, why did you choose Augustana?
Well, the school is small, the academics are top-notch, it isn't too far away from home, and I thought the people were great. The strength of the cross country and track programs was also a big factor in my decision.

What was your exprience like as a freshman on the cross country team?
There is really only one word that can describe my experience on the cross country team this fall - unbelievable. I love cross country, but I never could have imagined that it would be quite this amazing. I absolutely love my team and my coaches. I love it when people make me work hard. We set goals at the beginning of the year, and we accomplished ALL of them. That doesn't happen very often I don't think, especially when you shoot as high as we did - I mean we wanted to be one of the top 12 teams in the country and we DID it. I improved so much personally too- over the course of the season, I managed to drop my 6K time by almost two minutes. That doesn't happen in one season. Ever. All the credit to my coaches and teammates.

How do you balance athletics, academics and everything else at college?
Time management. Academics are the top priority, but running isn't far behind, and obviously you have to fit other stuff in there too - like fun in general, of course. It is pretty tough sometimes, and there are definitely sacrifices to be made, but instead of complaining about it I just think about how much I love what I do, and that it really isn't that hard. If I really try, I can study when everyone else is going crazy.

What is the best class you have taken this semester at Augustana?
Spanish is my favorite class because I have realized that I can actually understand the language. Professor Ogdie is my favorite so far!

How is your freshman year going in general?
I'd say it is going pretty well - college is hard, concerning the academics, but challenges are always good I think. The people here are a lot of fun, and I have met some great ones for sure.

What is your favorite meal in the Commons?
I thought Thanksgiving dinner was amazing, otherwise I am a big fan of the deli bar and the make-your-own-omelet griddles at breakfast.

What advice would you give prospective students who are considering Augustana?
There is so much that is appealing about Augustana - it is a small school so you won't get lost in the crowd, but it isn't too small where you can't meet new people everyday, because I certainly do. Sioux Falls is a great city, and it is in the Midwest so people are always friendly. There is always something going on around campus, whether it is put on by the school or by the students, and everyone really gets into athletics and supports us really well.

At this point, do you have any career goals or plans for after graduation?
I want to be a naturopathic doctor someday and maybe have my own practice, so I will have to go to medical school after graduation. If that doesn't work out, my alternate career plan is to open up a whole foods bakery so I can bake all day and be surrounded by bread and cookies, which are two of my favorite things.