ANNVILLE, Pa. – Every prospective college student hears the pitch before attending the institution of their choice. You'll have new and wonderful experiences. You'll be involved. You'll make a difference. You'll be part of a family.

At Lebanon Valley College, senior Emily Johnson is one of the students giving embodiment to those ideas. A two-sport athlete, double-major student, and multi-time study abroad traveler, she's had life-changing experiences. She's involved. She's made a difference. And she's become a part of the LVC family.

    

Johnson has won three straight MAC Commonwealth championships as a member of the softball team and was one of the first players to join the women's golf program. She spent a summer studying abroad in Germany and completed a service trip to Ghana over winter break. She is the president of LVC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a board member of the Middle Atlantic Conference SAAC Committee.

"I found exactly what I wanted to do here," said Johnson about her decision to attend the College. "LVC has given me a lot…I never have to feel confined to one career because I have so many different paths."





The digital communications and global studies major has made the most of the opportunities presented to her. In addition to her athletic prowess, Johnson recently worked as a social media and marketing intern at Greenfish Labs, a virtual reality production company in Lancaster, Pa. The experience was such a success that she was offered the position of marketing coordinator, which she plans to accept on a full-time basis following her graduation this spring.

For Johnson, however, it's not just about what LVC has given her, it's about what she's been able to give back because of opportunities afforded to her through the school. Take her three-week service trip to Ghana for example.

"From Dec. 26 - Jan. 19 I was in Ghana implementing solar panels," she said of her latest excursion. "I got to help build a solar panel business and train two women to take over the business…that experience was probably one of the best experiences I've had in my life."





Johnson will be on the move again this summer as she plans to visit Australia following her graduation. Before she heads down under, however, she'll be looking to pick up where she left off on the softball field this spring. So far this season, so good, as the catcher recorded her 100th career hit and was recently named the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Week through 14 games.

"Playing softball here has been one of the best decisions I've ever made," she said regarding her four years as a Dutchman. "Playing softball here has allowed me to do all these other things. It's pushed me. My teammates have pushed me. My coach has pushed me. I realize that I've had so much success on the field and I can have success everywhere else in life."



With her time as an undergraduate and student-athlete winding down, Johnson plans to remain connected to Lebanon Valley College, due in large part to what her time at the school has done for her these past four years.

"I definitely will stay part of the LVC community," she said. "Coming back and being able to be a part of that and saying what I've accomplished here and what our teams have accomplished here, it will be awesome."

    

Johnson will graduate in May having been the embodiment of a model student-athlete since first getting involved around campus (and abroad) in 2012. While Lebanon Valley College has made its mark on the versatile young woman, it's obvious that she will move on having left her stamp on LVC and beyond.