Grace Halvorson '25
Majors: Political Science, English Literature
Minors: Philosophy, Spanish
What is your dream job after college and how do you want to make an impact?
After I graduate from Concordia, I hope to go to law school and work in public interest law — either through the government, a nonprofit organization, or a human rights firm. Being an attorney is my dream job, specifically in an area of law where I can represent people who really need help. I hope to make an impact by fighting for causes that really matter, both on an individual basis and on a broader, more legislation-based level.
What year are you here at Concordia?
I’m a first-year student at Concordia, expecting to graduate in Spring 2025.
What are you involved in on campus? What kind of work do you want to be known for?
I’m on the leadership team for Cobber SALT (Students and Alumni Linked Together). It’s so much fun to be able to connect students and alumni in both fun and meaningful ways, along with creating networking opportunities so students can meet alumni in their chosen field before graduation. We plan everything from the bonfire at the bell tower that takes place the night before classes start to Careers Connecting Cobbers, a networking event in the spring. I also sing in Kantorei, one of Concordia’s choirs. It’s so much fun and the Concordia Christmas Concert is something I look forward to every year. I hope to be known for helping Cobbers to build connections and have new meaningful experiences.
What is your favorite Cobber tradition and why? What stories do you have to share about that tradition?
My favorite Cobber tradition actually has two parts — Opening Convocation and Commencement, or graduation. On the first day of classes every fall, all of the faculty line up on campus dressed in their academic regalia. The incoming class walks through and they clap, welcoming students to the beginning of their Cobber journey. President Craft gives a really beautiful opening address and then the first-year students toss their Cobber beanies on Olin Hill. Four years later, the faculty once again line up, this time clapping for the graduating class in their graduation gowns as they all walk under the bell tower to graduate and toss their caps, ending their journey as a student. So far, I’ve only tossed my beanie, but it was such a meaningful experience that really symbolized how special the Concordia community is.
Tell us your favorite stop on tour and why it's your favorite. Why do you connect with the space?
I absolutely love the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library. It’s my favorite place to study; it smells like books, I’m always productive when I go there, and the librarians are so kind and helpful. I love getting a vanilla latte from the Coffee Stop on a crisp fall day, walking past all of the pretty fall leaves on campus, sitting down in my favorite third-floor study room, and getting homework done.
Words of wisdom for prospective students?
Pay attention to what your heart is telling you. It’s easy to get swept up in the more tangible (but still very important) parts of choosing a college, like class sizes or what the dorms look like, but where you feel most at home really matters.
Why did you choose Concordia? Was there a defining moment in your college search process?
I grew up in Moorhead, so for a while I was certain that I would be leaving the area for college. As I toured other campuses though, I kept feeling my heart pulling me back to Concordia. There’s something special about the Cobber community — the fantastic professors, kind students who want to get involved in meaningful ways and build new relationships, and campus traditions that are always so much fun. It’s also hard to beat the food in dining services. I love Concordia and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
What does it mean to be a Cobber in one word?
Concordia, which means “hearts together.”