Lauren Elise

After graduating from Linfield in 2011, Lauren attended UC Davis where she studied Animal Science. While in college, she worked in an animal research facility and taught internship classes about bird handling, and she also spent summers volunteering in Belize to release endangered birds back into the wild. After graduating, she worked for a time with a program focused on releasing rare birds on the island of Maui, and she currently is employed at the San Diego Zoo where she raises exotic and endangered bird species. In her spare time, she gardens, raises native butterflies, and trains service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence. Since college, Lauren has actually raised three puppies for people with disabilities! She is also currently pursuing her master's degree in biology through the Global Field Program at Miami University. 

When Lauren thinks back on her years at Linfield, she says, “I have so many fond memories, from sitting by the lake at lunch to stretching on the ‘stage’ with my cross-country team, to drinking tea in our AP English class with Dr. Young, and throwing myself on the floor in a portrayal of Hamlet. But the thing I loved most was the closeness. Because it’s such a small tight-knit community, you really get to establish lasting relationships with teachers and friends. The staff aren’t just teachers; they are your friends and your biggest fans for life. Linfield was also just a safe space for free thinking. The teachers nurture a healthy relationship with Jesus, and they encouraged me to figure out what He was calling me uniquely to do. So for example, I never was someone who was super passionate about missions work or traditional ‘Christian’ things, but I found a love and connection to the Lord and to other people through the love of creatures and nature. Linfield gave me the building blocks to be able to realize that Jesus doesn't cut all his dough with the same type of cookie cutter. I remember how Mr. Kemmis’s Bible class presented multiple world views and helped me understand what I believe, and Mrs. Schwankl was so passionate in encouraging me to find Jesus in the details of science and biology.”

Watch an interview with Lauren here.