Leading With Purpose
“Take advantage of your time here at Central. There will be lots of opportunities thrown at you, so get involved.”
— Parker Lawrence ’26
Major: Kinesiology with an education certificate
Hometown: Maxwell, Iowa
Scholarships: Francis & Jeannette Huyser Scholarship, Geisler Penquite Scholarship and Journey
Involvement: Student Body President, Student Senate, Education Club, Kinesiology Club, Mock Trial, Rugby team, SCATE (Students Concerned About the Environment)
Career Goal: P.E. teacher
Parker Lawrence ’26 has never been one to shy away from branching out. When he transitioned to Central College from Maxwell, Iowa, he made up his mind to take advantage of every opportunity that crossed his path.
“College has taught me that I’m adaptable and sometimes impulsive,” he says with a smile. “I like to put myself out there.”
At Central, Lawrence’s commitment to trying new things has translated to involvement in the Kinesiology Club, Education Club, Mock Trial team, Rugby team, SCATE and a number of other clubs on campus. His decision to run for student body president was no different.
“Student body president has been in the back of my mind since freshman year, but it’s something I wasn’t always sure I could do. Coming into my junior year, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t run.”
Lawrence views the position of student body president as critical to the relationship between students and faculty. He looks forward to serving his peers in this capacity.
“The role of the student body president is to communicate students’ needs and wants to the people who can get it done,” he explains.
Another part of the job Lawrence is looking forward to — public speaking!
“I enjoy pushing myself out of my comfort zone and using public speaking to help foster a warm, welcoming environment,” he says.
More than anything, Lawrence hopes to apply the lessons he learns during his time as student body president to his future career.
“After I graduate from Central, I plan to substitute teach in a variety of school districts to get my feet in the water before seeking a long-term position as a P.E. teacher,” he says.
“Central has prepared me for this next step not just by opening the door for my degree but also for the practical application of what I have learned.”
Lawrence’s advice to Central’s incoming class reflects his own approach to navigating his education and the mentality that drove him to run for student body president:
“Take advantage of your time here. There will be lots of opportunities thrown at you, so get involved and adjust to them. Some of my favorite professors teach in fields completely unrelated to my own major. So, at the end of the day, don’t be afraid to branch out.”