Chancellor’s Scholar Laura Purcell finds inspiration in achievement

Laura Purcell didn't slouch, and, in between sipping tea, she answered questions with short, concise and polite answers. If anything, she seemed quiet. But when she did speak, her thoughts were organized and precise.

The senior biochemistry (pre-medicine focus) major is one of a select few Chancellor's Scholars at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She explained this simply means she has held a 4.0 GPA every semester in college. And the explanation of the awarded title is about the simplest part of the feat.

"It has opened up doors that I wouldn't have had previously, mainly my research experience," she said. "This has been a product of my work ethic."

With her graduation from the university coming Saturday, Purcell will begin the next part of her life's journey. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center in their doctor-medicine program.

And that's where the planning ends.

Purcell is originally from Cook, Neb.

"The (population) sign says 333, but it's really like 286," she added, grinning.

She graduated in a class of 21 students, the last graduating class to go through Cook's high school.

For someone from such a small niche in the universe, she has some pretty big stories to tell. Between her birth in Hawaii, her yearly visits of California and her travels in three continents (she hopes to visit all of them some day), Purcell's eyes light up with each new story.

But, eventually, the conversation backtracks to her roots and Cook, Neb., once again.

With a town so small, she explains she was involved in everything — from cheerleading to band to 4-H.

Upon her arrival to UNL, she found herself looking for a way to remain connected to (at least) some of the things she loved while in high school.

Purcell found her niche in university life once she became a member of "The Pride of All Nebraska," the Cornhusker Marching Band. Aside from making friends and performing in front of an audience of 85,000 ("Which was pretty cool."), she has also found a lifelong channel.

"Music is like an emotional outlet — it usually describes what I am thinking," she said.

She has been able to retain her small town roots through active participation in FFA and 4-H in meats-judging contests and quilting instruction, respectively.

Quilting isn't only a way for her to volunteer, though. To her, it is art and acts as a creative outlet.

She sits back, thinking for a few minutes.

"When you walk into a quilt store, you buy fabric off a bolt, and it comes off in yards and yards. And you cut it up and you put it back together again," she said, shrugging. "It's beautiful on the bolt, and it's beautiful when you put it back together. And that process is amazing."

According to her friend Jessica Kuenning, a senior speech and language pathology major, this ability to see the big picture has definitely helped Purcell navigate her college years, and these are the right qualities to tackle the future.

"I definitely want (to do) Doctors Without Borders," Purcell answered after thinking for a bit. "You find out that there are things that are different, but people all have the same basic needs.

"People are what make me want to go into medicine — I find inspiration in their lives and their stories, because everybody has a story."

And then she sat back and waited for the next question.

Again, she had explained an emotional concept in the most eloquent and simple of ways.

Despite her vague sense of self-direction, Purcell didn't seem too worried, and neither do her friends.

"(She is) very goal oriented," Kuenning said. "She's going to make a great doctor."

katienelson@dailynebraskan.com