Junior Chemistry and Environmental Studies Major Alison Agather is seen in many places around campus, but her go to destinations are the library, the rugby pitch and the Market Place “where food and friendship mix,” Alison said. She keeps her dinner guests guessing with her jokes and songs.

“Her laughter is contagious and she brings an incredibly fun and positive attitude to every group she’s in,” Junior Chemistry Major and Roommate of Alison, Sarah Lucht said.

Alison is taking the many opportunities offered at Gustavus and running with them.

During January Interim Experience as a first-year, Alison was recruited by the Gustavus Women’s Rugby Team after some team creeping and earned the nickname “Teeg,” a derivative from their code name “Tall Girl.”

“I wanted to try something new,” Alison said. After agreeing to go to practice Alison was hooked. “As my teammate, she is fearless and exudes a contagious passion for the game,” Senior Biology Major Amy Hughes said.

Alison’s teammates felt that she needed to have a leadership role on the team and voted her President for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“The president oversees the entire team and helps the other leadership roles with their tasks, it is also like being the schedule master,” Alison said.

Women’s Rugby is currently recognized as a club sport, not varsity, at Gustavus. Alison feels that there are positives and negatives about the team being considered a club sport.

“Because the team is group-run, our leadership gets to teach new players how to play and love rugby. On the other hand, it is difficult financially because we are not supported with the purchase of things like jerseys and balls and we don’t have access to the training room. I don’t foresee rugby becoming a varsity sport until Gustavus can draw people who have already played, like in high school,” Alison said.

As Alison plans rugby matches and practices running the ball, she is also working hard on her double major in Chemistry and Environmental Studies. “I like chemistry because you can see the physical reaction of what you are doing,” Alison said.

After taking Introduction to Environmental Studies, she decided that it was something that she wanted to pursue.

“I never realize that I liked it, but in fifth grade I did a science project and looking back that may have been the start,” Alison said.

Alison is a very hard working student who tries her best at whatever she does.

“Alison is a dedicated student that has dreams of making a difference; her academic drive is remarkable,” Hughes said.

When Alison decided to make sure that she was trying new things she found a few areas that she loved. Along with rugby, Alison is involved in Chemistry Club, Yearbook and Gustavus Youth Outreach (GYO) and enjoys going to Proclaim and Chapel. GYO is an organization that teaches kids about their faith and is something that Alison really enjoys participating in.

“I am a team member and it allows me to have fun and be a kid again,” Alison said. Being a part of these groups fits her personality perfectly.

“Alison is one of the most caring people I know and always considers how her actions impact others,” Lucht said.

During the summer, Alison worked at an all girls wilderness camp where she teaches water skiing. Without the luxury of electricity Alison spent much of her summer days outside playing with her campers.

“I like the carefree atmosphere and the simple mindset when I’m there,” Alison said.

As a junior Alison has contemplated what she wants to do after Gustavus.

“I would like to study pollution in water and air, it is just really interesting to me,” Alison said. She also hopes to work in a research position next summer to get a feel for what she truly wants to do.

“Alison is a pistol. Not only does she have brains, she has gumption and humor,” Hughes said.

In the meantime, Alison’s hopes for next year are simply “to continue with what I’ve been doing. I want to enjoy my time at Gustavus and feel like I’ve succeeded in the knowledge of the things I’ve learned and the relationships that I have with friends,” Alison said.

In her third year at Gustavus, Alison would like to share what she thinks a first year student should know.

“Just relax. Things that are meant to be will happen, and sometimes you have to work hard to do well,” Alison said.