BY KASS LAWRENCE ’22
Student athletes and sports enthusiasts can opt to join the recently introduced Lyons’ Nation Living Learning Community in Torrey Hall starting next semester, when ResLife will introduce three new Living Learning Communities on campus. Mount Holyoke’s residence halls are unique and serve a useful purpose in acclimating students into their new college environment. The Lyons’ Nation LLC was designed for varsity athletes, club sport athletes, dancers and any student who is interested in living a healthy, active lifestyle while striving for academic excellence.
“There were several students who submitted the idea for this community,” said Rachel Alldis, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life. “We are thrilled to welcome Lyons’ Nation to our LLCs for the coming year. I am hopeful this floor will garner a lot of interest from students.”
Lyons’ Nation will be located in Torrey Hall, due to its convenient location near the Kendall Sports & Dance Complex, Track & Field Complex and the other athletic fields. “I think that the LLC being close to the gym will be really convenient and helpful for people who like working out or have intense practice schedules,” said Elena Frogameni ’22, a first-year who frequents the gym.
Sarah VonDoepp ’22, a member of Mount Holyoke’s Ultimate Frisbee Club is interested in the new LLC. “I really like the idea of an athletic LLC as it will help build community between teams, something that can be hard with busy practice schedules and games,” VonDoepp said. “I think I would register [to live in Lyons’ Nation] because I want to get to know the athletes at Mount Holyoke better and be with people who have a common interest.”
In the past, the Athletic Department has paired first-year student athletes with each other as room- mates by request. Naomi Brown ’21, a member of the Swimming & Diving team, made use of this opportunity and said it was beneficial to her first-year experience as an athlete. “I think that the LLC could be good resource to create more connections and facilitate friendships within the athletic community,” Brown said.
To register for a Living Learning Community, students can apply through the College’s Residence web- site by Sunday, Feb. 24.
Photo by Flannery Langton ’22
Torrey Hall will be the home of the Lyons’ Nation Living Learning Community for student-athletes and sports enthusiasts starting this fall.