Name:
Noe Aratani-Mandiberg

Hometown:
Madison, Wisconsin

Residence on campus:
Off-campus

Class Year:
Junior

Major/Minor:
Writing and Publishing

Future aspirations: 
The first thing I want to do after graduation is join Teach For America (a national teacher corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teach and to effect change in under-resourced urban and rural public schools). If not, I’d like to do something in public relations.

Hobbies/Interests:
Right now my life revolves around Relay for Life. I used to play lacrosse. I like photography. I develop my own pictures and I like doing that. I also am into yoga. I’ve done yoga for six years.

Favorite spot on campus:
Probably the quiet floors of Kindlon Hall.

Favorite meal from the Coal Ben:
I like their Caesar salad.

Favorite memory on campus:
All the memories that I am making now. I like working with my committee and fundraising for Relay for Life. I like making the calendars and serving as Relay chair. I like the things that I am doing right now.

Why did you choose to attend Benedictine University?
I chose Benedictine initially because I wanted to get into ultrasound technology and Benedictine was one of the only four-year universities which offered it. Once I saw how many science courses you had to take, I got more involved in writing which is always something I enjoyed and at which I have been good.

Do you currently hold any positions on campus? In clubs, organizations, offices? If so what do they entail?
I am the event chair for Relay for Life. I answer questions for people on campus. I schedule and conduct the committee and team captain meetings. I help all the different committees like sponsorship and survivorship keep good relations. Basically, I am coordinating and delegating the events with the help of the committees for the Relay at the end of April. I was also Homecoming chair in the fall for Programming Board. It was essentially the same kind of things I do as the Relay chair. Homecoming is a big event, but it isn’t as big as Relay for Life because it is just a school-focused event. I worked and planned Homecoming events with the Programming Board, sold tickets and made fliers. I also serve as a staff writer for the Candor.

Do you currently receive any scholarships or grants? 
Yes. I received a grant as an out-of-state student, and I also received a merit award.

What has this scholarship done for you/mean to you?
It means that I always have a certain grade point average for which to strive. It pushes me to do my best. It also makes it easier for my parents financially. I like that I have the scholarships because I don’t feel like I’m taking advantage of my parents.

Could you have made it through school without this scholarship?
Maybe. I don’t really know. My dad is a professor at Columbia in New York. He has a financial help program through certain affiliated schools that I could have attended. But they definitely help. It is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

What would you say to the donors/philanthropists that made your grants and awards possible?
Thank you. Scholarships and grants mean different things to different people, but they are always positive things. Especially with how things are today, some kids can’t even consider school without a scholarship or grant. Donating is one of the best things you can do for a young student.

What is the best part of being a member of the Benedictine community? 
I thrive here. I’ve met some of the best people in my life here, whether they are faculty, staff members or my friends. I thrive both socially and academically. It’s just the environment.

When you graduate from Benedictine University, what do you look forward to most?
Applying all the creative things I’ve learned. We learn a lot of creative things in my major and I think those will be really neat to use. Also utilizing the people skills I’ve learned. Being Relay chair has really shown me what working with a nonprofit would be like. After graduation, I look forward to applying the different skills I’ve learned here.

Who is one of your favorite teachers or biggest influence on campus?
I would have to say professor Luigi Manca. He teaches communications courses and my "Images and Advertising" class. He really knows what he’s talking about and has a lot of experience in the field. He’s also my advisor, and I was told that I could graduate early because of the track he set me on. He definitely put me on the right track. Also, professor Wilson Chen. He is a literature professor. Even though it’s not my major, he made me interested in it. He is very encouraging.