Tayla R. Straub '20
Anthropology and English double major 

Why Stony Brook?
I am originally from Bay Shore, Long Island. Growing up there, you hear the name Stony Brook thrown around constantly. I had a family friend go to Stony Brook and they had a great experience so I took a tour when it came time to apply and I fell in love with the campus. The Stony Brook campus is beautiful and I heard great things about the department faculty for English and Anthropology. It didn’t take very long for me to fall in love with SBU. 

On her program of study:
I am a double major in English and Anthropology. I was planning on being an English major because reading and writing has always given me a deep sense of peace. Also, I took ANP 120 as an SBC freshman year and fell in love with studying primates, so of course I had to major in it!

On her favorite class:
One of my favorite classes was behavioral ecology (EBH 359). Not only was my professor for this course absolutely amazing, but there is nothing better than studying the animals that share this earth with me. All of the animal case studies were incredibly interesting and I always felt like I was learning something that only added to my passion for nonhuman nature.

 On her interests and accomplishments:
I have always been interested in helping others, so at Stony Brook I really aimed to help others in the community and on campus. As president of two clubs, I made community service a priority by holding campus cleanups, fundraisers to buy books for the children at Stony Brook Children’s hospital. 

My greatest achievement at Stony Brook was breathing new life into Alpha Nu Zeta English Honor Society, which had fallen dormant for over two years. Under my leadership (alongside an incredibly talented executive board) Alpha Nu Zeta became recognized by Student Engagement and Activities and is back to being an official club on campus. Aside from Alpha Nu Zeta being recognized, putting Alpha Nu Zeta back on its feet was a great achievement because I was able to witness the English community become a stronger and more tightly knit bunch, which has been very heartwarming. 

Clubs and organizations:
I served on the Dean’s advisory council in the spring. I am also a University Scholar’s fellow. I am currently serving as the President of Alpha Nu Zeta English Honor Society and the Undergraduate Anthropology Society. In addition, I am currently serving on the English Honors program advisory board. 

Awards and accolades:
Dean’s list every semester of undergraduate career, graduating Summa Cum Laude, graduating with Honors in English

Plans for post-graduation:
I am currently enrolled as a master’s student in the English department and will be officially attending my graduate program in the spring. I hope to pursue even higher learning by being accepted into a PhD program for English in hopes of becoming an English professor. 

Advice to future Seawolves:
To get involved! My first year at Stony Brook I took time to get adjusted to the new learning environment, but once I felt settled in at SBU I did not waste any time getting involved on campus. Sure, it looks great on your resume, but from my own experience, some of the dearest friendships I have today were fostered at the very clubs and organizations that I am now the president of. These experiences are invaluable to me because I now have lasting friendships that mean the world to me. College is sometimes hard because it forces you to make new friends, but don’t be scared of trying new things because they are likely the things that will change your life for the better. 

On her favorite SBU memory: 
This is a pretty random story, but I think my favorite memory will be at Roth Pond between my classes. I had gone to get lunch with a close friend of mine, and as we were making our way to class, we noticed a small crowd forming near one of the large trees near the pond. When we stopped we noticed that a baby squirrel was climbing all over a student. We soon came to realize that there were two baby squirrels, both climbing all over the students standing around them. Here are all of these students from different majors, groups, walks of life all paused for a few moments in enjoying these adorable baby squirrels. Even last semester, long after this occurred, I still catch myself saying hi to those from that day, and I don't even know their names. 

On graduating during COVID-19:
It could be worse!  I am very proud that given the circumstances I am still able to graduate and overcome this obstacle.