NIYou

Paige Willis

I chose my major because … I am very interested in animals and can no longer do animal training for medical reasons. I wanted to still be involved with animals and, seeing how many animals are treated in the entertainment world, decided that law could propel me into really making a difference in speaking for those who have no voice for themselves.

My favorite professor at NIU is … Professor Marc Falkoff. He was my criminal law instructor. He taught me how to think outside the rigid parameters presented in law books and showed me that I can make a difference. 

My favorite thing to do on campus is … eating lunch with my friends at Holmes Student Center.  I also enjoy taking my dog on walks through the downtown streets and shops.

Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … the recreation center. As my course workload keeps me extremely busy, it is great to be able to break away from schoolwork for little while and utilize the gym. I enjoy working out and the gym is always well-kept and clean.  In particular, I have developed a newfound love for racquetball.

When I have free time, I like to … dabble in photography with my good camera.  I often take photos of the outdoors or my pets. I also like to take my dog Khola on walks to the park and let him chase after the squirrels, even though he never manages to catch one.

One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here is … how absolutely packed Wal-Mart is at every hour of every day, except 1 a.m. on Monday.

One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … that even if I think that my whole world is turned upside down, I can still brush myself off, make it to class, and learn something.

If I was guaranteed success, I would … spend more of my free time doing assistance work and not living on my couch surrounded by highlighters and law books.

After graduation I plan to … to find a job in public interest with a focus on animal law. I am very interested in animal law as it pertains to the entertainment industry, but because the entire field is small, just finding a place to pursue animal law fulfill my goals.

The one NIU experience I will always remember will be … the coming together of the students on campus when the tragic shooting occurred. Many of my friends and acquaintances called me to check up on me, and we all met somewhere to appreciate the presence of each other at a scary time.