[Editor's note: This is part 2 of 11 in a series of Aquinas College student profiles being published on the Aquinas website throughout the spring 2012 semester.]

“I guess there is always that drive; I have this drive to be significant. I don’t like being just another member of the herd so to speak. You know, I want something that’s distinguishing myself from everyone else,” said sophomore Evan Kowalski. His mother, a nurse, and his father, a firefighter, inspired him to go into the medical field as a physician’s assistant so as to have an impact on people daily like his parents. Service runs in his family.

Coming from Commerce Township, a small residential town in Michigan, Kowalski emphasized how privileged he feels to be able to come to college and learn from such a broad range of staff on various topics. He knows that many students complain about having to attend certain classes or having to wake up early but Kowalski relishes the opportunity.

Originally completely unaware of Aquinas, Kowalski, a biology major, said that while in the midst of applying to various biology programs, he received a call from Aquinas and thought ‘why not?’ His two main reasons for choosing AQ after his acceptance: the beauty of the campus and the generous financial aid, two things that some students may take for granted.

Since his freshman year he has grown as a person. "If anything I've gained a little bit of confidence since I've got out of high school," he said relating how his new attitude is a by-product of being away from home and having to rely only on himself.

Kowalski's freshman year was certainly an adjustment period, however, after finding a best friend in his roommate he said that things just took off from there in a spider web effect, "It started with just my roommate, then with my suitemates, then we kind of expanded to the floor above us in Regina (Hall)."

Having focused on his academics and his passion for rock climbing, Kowalski is hoping to become an official member of the biology honor society Tri Beta at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. He has enjoyed being able to ride his bike around Grand Rapids and exploring every corner of the city from Eastown to Rosa Parks Circle.

After he graduates AQ, he would like to be remembered for two things: his biology capstone research and his appetite for education. Even though he is currently a sophomore Kowalski has already put some serious thought into his future research: He thinks that by blending his biology interests and his liberal arts education he can create an interdisciplinary solution to why there is an increased bacterial resistance to immunities.

“I love learning! It’s a really nerdy thing to say. For some reason I just really love being at school, I love being at college, I love taking classes,” said the Ray Bradbury fan with a smile when explaining his passion for learning. Kowalski’s yearning doesn’t just hold to his interest in biology but rather expands to all subjects from English to science and even to zombies. He strives for high goals academically and takes pride in getting all A's.

Having declared a minor in chemistry he said that academics haven’t been too challenging up until this point. With math being one of his few academic weaknesses he was a bit worried about his chemistry courses at first but now enjoys them.

One of his favorite AQ memories is of backpacking with friends he met at Aquinas on North Manitou during the 2011 Labor Day weekend. Kowalski said that it was a first-time experience for one of his friends who hadn’t brought warm enough clothing. The group of four ended up enjoying their time despite not being able to return to the mainland for an extra day due to 12 foot swells on Lake Michigan.