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If it can be done at �㽶��ý, chances are Ellis Horton ’24 has done it – football, track and field, Bears Leadership Academy, SEEDS (Ecological Society of America), Student Government Association (SGA), Pre-Health Club, community service – all while earning academic honors as an exercise science major.

“Something I really value for myself is hard work, being dedicated to something and putting in the hours to fulfill a goal,” Horton said. “When setbacks happen, that’s just part of life. You accept that and use the challenges to get better, closer to the goal.”

One of those setbacks for Horton was an injury that went undetected through his senior season of high school football but kept him out of track and field the following spring.

“I’d had a really good junior year of track, which got the attention of a lot of colleges,” he said. “Then when I got hurt, a lot of those schools kind of backed away. LR still wanted me, though, which turned out to be such a blessing. When I came to visit, I felt it was a place where I could get a lot done, and obviously, I have.”

Recovering from the injury also gave Horton early exposure to the healthcare field and hospital environment. 

“I came to LR as a business major, but then I found exercise science, which is such a broad field,” he explained. “It’s an interdisciplinary major, so you’re taking classes in biomechanics, physics, physiology. It sets you up to pursue further study or a career in so many areas – physical or occupational therapy, training and coaching, physician assistant. Or you can do what I’m doing and incorporate more courses in the natural sciences to go into medicine.”

While Horton is keeping his options open regarding his future medical specialty, he has considered orthopedics or sports medicine as well as pediatrics or emergency medicine – an area he has directly experienced working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in the emergency room at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.

“I like the excitement and variety of the emergency room,” he said. “I got the CNA certification during the summer after my junior year. I needed to get a job, and I wanted to get real experience with patient care. So, this is all in one. The doctors there know about my goals, so they work with me and provide me with hands on learning opportunities.”

Horton opted to use his extra year of athletic eligibility – granted by the NCAA during the COVID-19 pandemic – to complete additional science coursework and prepare to apply to medical school. However, he served as SGA president for the class of 2023, the cohort he enrolled with.

“As class president my job was to make sure the class was happy, that they had a good year, and to organize the senior class gift,” he said. “I also helped get the Pre-Health Club going. The other officers and I brought more diverse perspectives to student government. I’m proud of what I accomplished, even though I’ve had to step back from SGA this year because my course load is heavier.”

Getting ready for the next step forward, Horton reflected on how much he has changed and grown in his academic and professional goals as well as in his personal development since he arrived at LR.

“I’m not sure if I would have accomplished as much somewhere else. When you come to college, there’s so much you don’t know. You’re growing up, and you’re not at home, so there’s a lot of uncertainty. But in the right environment, you can really flourish as an individual and as part of a community.”