Name: Benjamin Caceres

Year in School: Sophomore

Major: Biology

Minor: Neuroscience

ABOUT YOU

Where are you from?

I’m from Rockford, Illinois.

What do you like to do? 

During the summer, I love to bike, preferably through a scenic trail.  When I get the chance, I also like going downtown to explore with my friends.  There’s still so many restaurants and touristy things in Chicago I haven’t tried.

MY COMMUNITY SERVICE & ACTION EXPERIENCE

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?

Right now, I am a student leader on Friday for the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen.  While we are there, the Loyola group and I prepare food to serve Chicago’s underprivileged.  Additionally, I am a Big Brother in the L4C Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Metropolitan Area of Chicago.

Why do you engage in the Community?

I volunteer because I believe that it is the best way to foster a real connection with the other people in your respective community.  To really immerse yourself into a place where others are struggling is, to me, the best way to show understanding to your neighbors and a worthwhile use of time.  Also, along the way making friends with your fellow volunteers and new people in the area is an added bonus! 

How do you envision living out our mission of building the greater good past your time at Loyola?

My goal after Loyola is to study in the field of medicine and someday hopefully work as a pediatric doctor.  Helping children feel better in that important formative time of their life is worthwhile to me.  I would also like to stay involved in a non-medical volunteer position, maybe another soup kitchen.

BEING A RAMBLER

What is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the stacks in the basement of Cudahy.  My rationale is the deeper into the library I get, the easier it is to justify not going back to my room and watching TV.  Also, the pizza place in the Damen food court, the breadsticks are far too tasty.

What advice would you give to an in-coming student at Loyola?

Definitely step outside your comfort zone.  Join clubs and make an effort to be an active member on campus.  The more things you get involved in, the more good people you can meet, and you also might end up finding some new interests along the way.