A mother working nights, a father working days, five siblings, and the occasional older sister with her husband and children living under the same roof—it was a full house, often filled with chaos. Yet, through it all, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Heller was homeschooled. Her older sister taught her to read and write, laying the foundation for an incredible journey. For Lizzy, an extraordinary young woman, her first experience sitting in a classroom wasn’t until she enrolled at Chowan University—where she excelled in everything she pursued.

Watching her older sisters start college but not finish, Lizzy was determined to take a different path. She set her sights on becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree, with a clear goal of leading a life of purpose. Chowan University is fortunate to have her.

Dr. Rosemary Thomas describes Lizzy as “a scholar, a Christian, an athlete, and a scholarship recipient.” Now a senior majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems and a minor in Management, Lizzy has compiled an impressive list of achievements, including:

• Honors College Outstanding Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman

• Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society

• SAAC Member

• Presidential Scholar

• Leadership Scholar

• President’s List and Dean’s List

• Outstanding Student Award 2023–2024

• Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society

• Alpha Chi Honor Society

• Cross Country and Women’s Lacrosse

• Commencement Marshal

• Fall Academic All-Conference 2024

• Inauguration Speaker and Commencement Speaker

Already preparing for life after graduation, Lizzy is interviewing with companies in Richmond while exploring potential career opportunities at Chowan, where several departments have expressed interest in her talents. Currently, she is interning with the Registrar’s Office to further develop her professional experience.

“I am motivated by sports,” Lizzy shared. “Softball was how I was able to afford college. Coming from a big family, joining a team made the transition a little easier. The small classrooms and very caring professors encouraged me and helped me adapt from homeschooling to the classroom.

Ashley Gustafson, my softball coach, mentored me so much during my freshman year. Even after she stepped away from coaching, I would go to her for advice. Even now, as a senior about to graduate, I still seek her guidance.”

Ashley Gustafson describes Lizzy as:

“Lizzy is truly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of kid—her determination and drive to succeed in everything she does set her apart. She is one of the hardest-working individuals I’ve ever known, and watching her grow over the past four years has been an incredible experience. I may have brought her here for softball, but she has become so much more than just a player; she’s someone I admire and am grateful to have built a lasting relationship with. The sky is the limit for her, and I can’t wait to see all that she will accomplish after graduation.”

At Chowan’s annual Scholarship Luncheon, Lizzy expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt speech:

“I found my Chowan family by building relationships with friends and faculty. They have supported me as I’ve found my place in the world. None of this could have been accomplished without them. Thank you all for being part of my story. As I go forward, I carry with me the lessons I’ve learned.”