Meet Samantha Heuertz

Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Tell us about yourself.

I took all the creative writing courses I could, whether it’s poetry or prose. I don’t claim to be good, but it is a nice way to stretch myself. In my spare time, I enjoy cross-stitching, getting milkshakes at Cook Out with my friends, and listening to classical music.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be going to medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Have your plans changed over the last four years?

I planned on majoring in biology, and that never really changed. I have always loved figuring out how things work, especially living things, which made it a pretty easy choice.

How have you grown during the last four years?

I’ve developed intellectually, gotten better at writing, thinking and reading critically, but that’s not the most important thing. My experiences, especially my volunteer experiences, have made me a more compassionate person. I remember one night, I was working at the reception desk of a local charity clinic, when I was surprised to see one of my friends turn up as a patient. I hope I never forget what I learned that day: everyone is dealing with things, difficult things, and we may never know what they are. This makes it all the more important to serve those around you -- to invest yourself in making other’s lives better.

Why did you choose Wake Forest?

I came to Wake Forest because of its stellar academics, and that’s still the biggest reason I’m glad I enrolled. I feel like my classes and activities have more than prepared me for medical school, and I think this confidence will be a big asset going into next year.

What was your favorite class?

I think my favorite class was Intermediate Short Story Writing. It was completely different from the science courses I was used to: every week we would read and critique stories written by our peers, then discuss them in a workshop setting. I enjoyed seeing what everyone came up with and often continued the dialogue with them outside of class. It was something for me to anticipate, even though it could be a little intimidating when one of my works was on the table.

Have you conducted research?

One summer I worked for Shay Soker at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where I turned Petri dishes of amniotic-fluid stem cells into bone-like cells. My goal was to figure out how alcohol causes birth defects by looking at a process that mirrors fetal bone development, and I did see alcohol change the patterns of gene expression in my samples.

What was your most meaningful extra-curricular experience?

I volunteered in the pharmacy at the Community Care Center, a charity clinic that provides free healthcare for the uninsured poor here in Forsyth County. It was a great experience for many reasons. By helping the doctors get prescription drugs for our patients, I knew that I was really making a difference in people’s lives, and I felt like the clinic became a home-away-from-home for me.

Who has influenced you most?

This is almost an impossible question, because there are so many wonderful people in my life. I’d say my parents have had the greatest impact: they helped me learn what was really important in this world, and they taught me how to work hard and to relax -- how to find balance. They introduced me to the joy of learning, provided me with the opportunities to do it, and, of course, they’ve stood behind me and loved me the whole way.

What makes a Wake Forest education unique?

A Wake Forest education is whatever you make of it. No matter what you want to do, Wake Forest can provide you with the connections, guidance and resources to make it happen.

What is your favorite Wake Forest tradition?

My favorite tradition is rolling the Quad. I remember my sophomore year when we won the ACC championship, and it seemed like everyone on campus converged on the Quad and started throwing toilet paper. Everything got covered in white, everyone was screaming, and it was just a great moment to be a part of the Wake Forest community.

What will you miss most?

I’m going to miss my friends; they are amazing people. I love them so much, and I’m glad we got to share these four years.

Words of advice for incoming freshmen…

Take advantage of opportunities outside of your major and class requirements. Go hear congressmen, see plays, enjoy the amazing concerts that the music department puts on. You may never again have so many opportunities to be exposed to so many different things.

— Office of Creative Services
May 12, 2009