What can you learn from studying at a small liberal arts university? Accomplished student leader Trinity Murdock discusses all the in’s and out’s of finding what is important to you at TLU.

Big city girl in a small town world:

Trinity Murdock is originally from the Los Angeles area in California but now calls Houston, Texas, her home. Coming from two larger cities to the small and rural town of Seguin was quite a feat at first. When asked about culture shocks, the main one was the difference in diversity.

“There is not as much diversity for the black community here, and I think the first culture shock was in hair products. I went to the store and couldn’t find things for me. In Houston I could go three blocks and find hair products, and braiders. Being on campus and not being able to find hairdressers that could do my hair or people who could understand my cultural background made it very difficult in my freshman year.”

Another experience that she highlighted was her trip to the Big 3 on behalf of the Black Student Union. Sharing the lived tribulations of being a minority in a majority white/Hispanic institution felt like becoming a community. Trinity wishes that TLU could also have that level of community feeling, which she believes is lacking for the black community specifically. “If TLU could get a grasp on holding diversity values then retention rates would soar,” she memorably mentioned.

“The community here is so good, regardless of race; you can find a community no matter where you are at. But, personally speaking as a black person, it is hard to find that community that you would feel safe in. For example, I wanted to join Greek Life, not that there is anything wrong with Greek Life, but I didn’t want to feel like the token person in a certain group. It is difficult to be in a place where no one else looks like you, and that goes for anyone.”

Trinity Murdock

Actionable items that Trinity mentioned to increase connections across the study body included pushing student organizations in Freshman Experience (Frex) classes, and getting new students at TLU used to going to events. Especially, after Covid-19, incoming freshman are more willing than ever to stay uninvolved. This be could due to a myriad of reasons but it shows in the student population, and student organization participation numbers. Time will tell whether this effect wanes or waxes.

Always a traveler, always a unifier:

While Trinity enjoyed traveling for school conferences, that was far from her favorite traveling experience. When she was seventeen, she went on a cruise with her family, where they stopped in Belize for a couple of days. The people of Belize were so genuine that it made the trip.

“It was five dollars to go on the party bus after we missed all the excursions. The music was going, everyone was dancing, and I was recording. I noticed how the different cultures were meshing, and I realized this is how the world was supposed to be on this five-dollar bus tour that we didn’t even plan on getting on. One of the couples on the bus, became good friends with my parents, and we spent the rest of the trip with them.”

While Belize may not have been the most average choice, it was beautiful because of the people in it. It taught Trinity how to make sure to be respectful of other countries, due to their genuineness and there love of their country.

“I want to be respectful to the communities I enter, because that is what they know. My goal moving forward is to learn the language where I am traveling, be respectful, and spread the love that I have felt.”

Trinity’s future plans include multiple other areas of the world, and there is a high possibility of her relocating to another country after college. She is currently set on living in Japan because of the career possibilities and her love of the culture.

Trinity’s must-read:

As a heavy reader, Trinity loves the horror genre. When deciding upon which book to recommend, she struggled between two different books, but when reflecting this one made the most impact. A low-level horror but highly enjoyable, All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Dawning Hahn is a good read.

“It’s about two siblings who go to their grandmother’s house, and she has a haunted basement. It’s a very intricate story where they meet a ghost. It’s good and bad, and the ghost speaks through photos, verbal, and scaring the grandma. It was very homey, and I remember that a lot of Mary Dawning Hahn books brought me comfort, and this was one of my favorites.”

Trinity Murdock

Trinity believes that this book can drive creativity with a satisfying twist.

Words to appreciate Black History Month:

As the Black Student Union president, Trinity’s goal has always been to help everyone understand that love is the key.

“Looking at all of the diversity groups on campus, I think we should all indulge in at least one throughout our time here. Because you understand that we are all doing the same thing in different fonts, just trying to live and survive. When you understand someone’s perspective on their level, the world becomes a lot easier.”

Trinity Murdock

She also implores the students at TLU to try at least three different student organization events. Sometimes the only reason to stay at TLU is because of the student organizations. While the academics are important, finding connection is just as important to keeping students happy. Becoming involved helps people fight academically to stay in groups, and gives students a purpose at the college.