Courtesy photoGavrilla Arya played golf and majored in biological sciences with a concentration in pre-med and a minor in chemistry. She came to Wichita State from Jakarta, Indonesia, primarily because of coach Tom McCurdy鈥檚 welcoming personality and approach to the sport.
She also made academics a priority.
Arya earned Women鈥檚 Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar honors four times as a Shocker. She played on Wichita State鈥檚 2016 Missouri Valley Conference champions and NCAA qualifier and earned all-conference honors twice.
Gavrilla is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2019 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the senior.
What is your degree in?
I hopped majors, from business to exercise science to finally finding biology. My interest in biology stems out of curiosity. I鈥檓 very curious about science and how the body works. I鈥檝e enjoyed anatomy and physiology classes, how they interact.
How are you feeling leading up to graduation?
Sad and excited at the same time. I鈥檝e been here four-and-a-half years and I consider it a second home. Going back home is probably a little foreign, actually.
What has been your most helpful learning experience while a student at 黑洞社区?
Being a student-athlete is a learning experience. You are more pressurized to excel academically, as well as athletically. You鈥檙e here to represent the school. You don鈥檛 want to let your teammates down and your coach down and on top of that you鈥檝e got to be a good student. It was a hectic four years.
What was been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
I felt like I had no time. You have to be organized and disciplined, way before the semester starts. You have to plan. Know your schedule. Know your travel schedule. Know when your tests are so you can plan for the unexpected.
What are your plans now workwise?
I鈥檓 going to help my dad with his business (in Indonesia). He sells airport security machines, screeners.
What advice would you give other 黑洞社区 students?
Enjoy your time as a student. But you also have to realize you鈥檙e here to get a degree, so balance is very key. Even as a freshman, you don鈥檛 want to fall of course during your first semester and let your GPA slide. Your freshman year is going to be the easiest. Being responsible for yourself is very key. Surround yourself with people you know are going to support you and not be a bad influence.
