Editor’s note: This column was submitted to the Texan by a member of the UT community.
I always knew I wanted to continue practicing my Catholic faith in college. There was no question about it. In fact, it was a major factor in my college search. The first university I ever visited was a Catholic university, and it was a wonderful experience. I truly felt like it was where I was meant to be. When decision day came, this Catholic university weighed heavy on my mind because my acceptance was paired with a scholarship. Ultimately, academics won. UT would provide me with the world-renowned education and network I need to pursue a career in the museum industry. More importantly, I chose to major in anthropology, a liberal arts degree. Along with the Liberal Arts Honors Program, my experience here in Austin has been unparalleled compared to anywhere else.
But the journey certainly hasn’t been easy. Lectures, readings and peers all challenge me in ways I never expected. How could I possibly reconcile my deep-seated beliefs with what I need to internalize to make the grade? Did I make a mistake in choosing a secular university? I felt like a façade some days. I didn’t fit in here or there. I just floated somewhere in between and chose who I wanted to be for social convenience and acceptance. Eventually, I learned that having two faces just broke me in half. No one met me as a whole person, not even my own self, for the longest stretch of time. As the semesters went by, I expanded my worldview and nurtured my faith. While I humbly acknowledge my ignorance, I have matured in understanding how Catholicism teaches me to view the world, including anthropology.
Carving out my space at UT took two years. Both COLA and the University Catholic Center (UCC) are my homes. In the college, I am a COLA Dean’s Ambassador and sing its praises. I love the liberal arts: engaging complex theories, writing critically, and learning as much as I conceivably can. At the UCC, I am Vice President of the Longhorn Catholic Council, our registered Catholic student organization. I love serving the UCC: staffing retreats, working behind the scenes at every event and encountering people in the most profound ways.
At its core, my identity as a UT Catholic student is grounded in my love for others. This compassion has manifested in listening intently and seeking to understand, both academically and personally. I refuse to simply believe anything without asking, searching and discovering. Sometimes, I find the answer on 21st Street, right behind three stained glass windows.
Hernandez is an Anthropology senior in the Liberal Arts Honors program with a Museum Studies certificate from Brenham, TX.
