2024-25 President's Medallion Recipient
Barrett Barscz
Every year, the President’s Medallion honors one student from each college, school, and institute who excels in leadership, scholarship, and service. The recipients exemplify the true meaning of being a Loyola student by empowering their community with integrity. This year's recipient from the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health is Barrett Barscz, a senior in Exercise Science.
Hometown: Huntington, Indiana
Major: BS, Exercise Science
Expected Graduation Date: May 2025
1. What is your program and why did you choose it?
I'm in the Exercise Science program with plans to go to medical school. When I was choosing my major and researching schools, I was mostly focused on the curriculum and course requirements. When I looked at Loyola’s Exercise Science program, I liked that it was human focused and included courses like human physiology and human anatomy. That was the main thing, particularly because anatomy was my favorite class in high school. It’s what triggered my interest in medicine.
2. What community service or extracurricular activities are you involved in? What have those experiences meant to you?
I have volunteered at the food pantry in Rogers Park. I really enjoyed engaging with the Rogers Park community, meeting people from different backgrounds, and helping out in my neighborhood. I’m also a member of the Public Health Club and Pre-Health Society.
3. What is the most important/valuable lesson you’ve learned from your time at Loyola and in Parkinson?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is there are so many opportunities at Loyola and in Chicago in general but if I want something, I need to go out and get it. Nothing is going to get handed to me. The most rewarding experience has been getting the things I didn’t think I would or could get.
4. What does Loyola’s Jesuit mission mean to you? How has it influenced your experience as a student?
The biggest part of the mission for me is giving back to the community. That’s why I really wanted to focus on volunteering within Rogers Park. Rogers Park has had the biggest impact on my experience here. I wanted to make giving back to my neighborhood a priority. Also, the Jesuit commitment to education. I’ve always taken pride in being a well-rounded individual who knows a little bit about everything and is able to have a conversation about different topics. I’ve really enjoyed the core curriculum courses I’ve taken. They’ve been really interesting, and I find when I enjoy what I’m learning about, it’s easier to put the work in.
5. What are you planning to do with your degree? How has Loyola prepared you for your future goals?
I plan to go to medical school. Loyola has done a good job of preparing me. My sister, who is in medical school right now, is impressed with some of the classes I’ve taken and what I already know.
I also work as a Patient Care Tech at Northwestern Medicine on the Transplant floor. Recently, I was talking to a cardiologist who was also impressed with how much I knew.
6. What experiential learning and research opportunities have you been involved in as a student?
I am currently working with Dr. Deldin on sports performance testing for the basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams. The results are given to the strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers as a baseline in case an athlete suffers an injury.
As a sophomore and junior, I was involved in Dr. Springfield’s public health research lab focused on understanding how institutional racism impacts heart and lung transplant patient outcomes.
7. Have you received any scholarship support? If yes, what has that support meant to you and your family?
I received the Robert and Betty Parkinson Social Justice Scholars Award. The scholarship, along with the Presidential Scholarship I received when I applied, made it possible for me to attend Loyola. The support means everything. I wouldn’t be here without it.
8. What has been the best or most memorable part of your Loyola experience?
My most memorable experience was Welcome Week my freshman year. I was so nervous making the transition from rural Indiana to Chicago. The week was so much fun and made the transition easy. I learned how to take public transportation which I’d never done before. We explored Chicago and the different neighborhoods. I remember being on top of a double decker bus thinking, "I live here. This is my life now." It was so crazy and different for me. I met more people that week than in my 4 years of high school.