Fox Cities News

Mattigan Haller didn’t intend on becoming a triple major, but while on her academic journey at Lawrence University, it just fell into place. Already planning on double majoring in biochemistry and Spanish and starting on the pre-medicine track, Haller found that with a few additional classes, she could seamlessly add a biology major. The combination, for her, was perfect.

“I’m looking at pediatric anesthesiology, and I want to use my Spanish,” said Haller, heading into her senior year. “Being able to communicate more with patients, colleagues, the world as a whole—that’s really important to me.”

Haller, a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a first-generation student. She’s also a student-athlete, competing on Lawrence’s softball team for the past three years. When starting her college search, she credits her mom for being a supportive presence and helping her research different colleges.

The extensive research led to Haller and her parents touring 22 colleges and universities across the country before deciding to call Lawrence home.

“I knew I wanted the small liberal arts. I knew I wanted to know my professors by name rather than just being a number in a class,” Haller said. “We came—me, my mom, and my dad—and fell in love with it.”

Mattigan Haller spent part of the last academic year studying in Mexico.

Along with a burgeoning downtown and gastronomic experiences, the freedom offered at Lawrence was a big draw for Haller. Lawrence was a place where she could pursue three majors, play a sport, study abroad, and still have time to participate in several different clubs and organizations.

Haller’s love for and choice to study Spanish in college was long founded. For years, her family hosted exchange students through the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The first student they hosted was from Mexico; Haller's family remains in contact with her today.

It was through this exchange student that Haller developed an opportunity to study abroad in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

“Her husband is an anesthesiologist; that formed the connection,” Haller said. “From there I was able to shadow and assist in surgeries: intubate patients; give anesthesia.”

Madera Allan—a professor of Spanish and Haller’s advisor—also helped design this experience. While in Mexico, Haller participated in over 50 procedures. With Allan’s help she plans to turn this experience into an independent study next academic year focusing on how medicine adapts culturally.

In addition to her rigorous academic load,Halleralso thriveson thesoftball diamond.The abilityto competein hersportand stillpursue otheracademicand personalendeavorsaidedher decisionto attendLawrence.“There’semphasishereatLawrenceon,you’reastudent(first),thenyou’reanathlete,”Hallersaid.“That’ssomethingthatreallymademe wanttocometoLawrence,becauseIwasn’treadytostopplaying.There’sareallygoodbalancehereatLawrence.”

Pursue health professions through Lawrence

Lawrence's medical school acceptance rate is above the national average thanks topersonalizedadvising,strongliberalartsacademicwork,andavarietyofhealth-focusedenrichmentexperiences.

Hallery also got involved inclubsandorganizationsoncampus,includingshePresidentialStudentAdvisoryBoard—whereshemetwithPresidentLaurieA.CarterandherboardtodiscussabroadrangeoftopicsincludingthePre-HealthLivingLearningCommunityBoardandLIGHT(LawrentiansInspiringGlobalChangeTogether).

Halleryisalsoinvolvedwiththefirstgenorganizationoncampus.Shesaidshefelt supportedbytheLawrencecommunityparticularlybyAllanwhowasalsoafirstgenstudent.“She’sjustverypersonable,”Hallersaid.“WehavealotofdifferentareaswhereweconnectandshegoesoutofherwaytomakesureI’mdoingOK.She’sanamazingprofessor.”

Althoughshehasanotheryearbeforegraduation,Halleryisbusyplanningforherfutureaprerequisitesheshesaidforbeingapre-medstudent.ThissummersheisstuydingfortheMedicalCollegeAdmissionTest(MCAT)withplanstotaketheexaminfall.