A leader on the court and off
When senior Su Balasubramanian entered CWRU four years ago as a freshman,
she wanted to try and experience new things. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native,
who had been playing tennis competitively since the sixth grade, wasn't
sure how much a varsity sport would hold her back from that. So she dabbled.
"My freshman year gave me a good opportunity to get a feel for what I really like to do," Balasubramanian said. "When I started playing again my sophomore year, I had already had my feet wet in the things that I was really interested in and never really felt pressure to just play tennis or just do other stuff."
Balasubramanian's career record may not of reflected greatness but her leadership on the courts did. She was named team captain for both her junior and senior seasons. Balasubramanian, a computer engineering major, was also a three-time University Athletic Association All-Academic selection.
On May 19, Balasubramanian will fulfill another of her leadership roles. She will speak to her peers as senior class president at undergraduate commencement in the Veale Center.
"Su's strength was definitely leadership," said Head Tennis Coach Nancy Rahn. "She never missed a practice and was always inspiring people to be better. Although she had a rough time with some matches over the years, she remained positive and was always in them until the end."
In addition to tennis, Balasubramanian discovered one of her interests was student government. She was elected class secretary her freshman, sophomore and junior years and president this year.
Balasubramanian will address a senior class of around 800, plus their families, at commencement. Intimidating numbers for someone who does not do a lot of public speaking. But she can relate the experience to playing a tennis match in front of a large crowd.
"I have definitely performed in front of people before in tennis but never this many," Balasubramanian said.
After graduation, Balasubramanian, whose parents emigrated from India in the 1970s, has decided to join the Peace Corps and has been assigned to Africa, where she will be teaching mathematics to elementary-level children.
"I want to be able to have an impact on people, to give them a positive experience," she said. "No matter what it is, a smile or just teaching them something new for the day."
