Gina Ortiz
What is the most fundamental change you’ve experienced since your time as a first-year student?
My patience-levels and overall outlook on what matters and what doesn’t matter have changed a lot, and all for the better.
What non-academic experience at Wake Forest was most meaningful to you?
I’ve met the love of my life and some of my dearest friends!
What song or songs will always remind you of your time at Wake Forest? Why?
The fight song at sports games, 4 years here and I only learned “go deacs”.
Wake Forest’s Pro Humanitate motto is a guiding philosophy for many students and alumni. Did it have an impact on your student experience and has it influenced your plans for the future?
Pro Humanitate was one of the main factors, besides financial aid, that influenced my decision to attend Wake Forest. There’s always room for improvement, but many people and departments on campus live out that motto and it was great to witness!
What was your favorite class outside your major or minor areas of study and why did it appeal to you?
My favorite classes outside of my majors were Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) and Social Dance. Both of these classes served as memorable parts of my college journey and they provided a break from my normal routine while still being useful for my life outside of academia.
Wake Forest has lots of traditions, and sometimes students create their own. Do you have a favorite Wake Forest tradition?
I’m excited to take the tour and sign the bell tower before I graduate!
What surprised you most about your Wake Forest experience?
How different college was from what I envisioned it to be. For me, there was not as much independence as I believed there would be, but for others it was the most independence they ever had, and without preparation for it. So, I had to navigate that and be mindful of people’s experience that led them to college.
Who most impacted your Wake Forest experience?
I have had many people whom I have met through Wake Forest that have impacted my experience for the better or not so better, but some people I met at Wake that I will be forever grateful to because they supported me and made the experience memorable and meaningful are my fiancé Jaden, my best friend, Jacqui, all the friends I have made through my job as an RA, and Professor Toner.
What was the most rewarding experience you had as a Wake Forest student?
Completing my theses in politics and in philosophy, my time as a tutor, my time as a Resident Adviser and working at the library, and the meaningful friendships I’ve made have been my most rewarding experiences at Wake.
Imagine you return to campus for your 10-year reunion. What do you hope will remain the same? What do you hope will be different?
I hope the beautiful scenery and nature remain the same, it was my favorite part of campus. But I hope the food at the pit is different, and that they remove that road from Davis Field.
Now that you are a graduating student, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself as an incoming student four years ago?
My biggest piece of advice for my past self and any incoming college student is to think about what it is you are looking to gain from college and analyze if you truly need the experience whether for a career or other reasons. If you do, then work hard and make the most out of it, but don’t overwork and lose yourself in the process.
Compare your career plans as a first-year student with your career plans now. Why did your plans change or not change?
My career plans remain the same, but I am now much more flexible to alternatives to that plan and I am more open to new opportunities. My plans didn’t change because my passion and hard work to attain my goal remain unwavering, but I am more open-minded to end up somewhere different because I have realized that hard work pays off even if it isn’t in the way you anticipated. Plus, ending up at Wake wasn’t even in my plan and it also ended up paying off. God knows where His children need to be to grow the most for His kingdom.