A native of Millersville, Md., Beverly Ellwood graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an honors accounting and applied music double major with a concentration in flute.
Ellwood was nominated for this series by Assistant Professor of Accounting Joan Fico. In this profile, Ellwood shares her favorite UD memories, advice for incoming students and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Ellwood: I think I have become a much more confident person. When I started at UD, I was pretty shy and was unsure of who I really wanted to be. Through various leadership roles and internship experience I’ve gained at UD, I’ve grown much surer of myself and my abilities.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Ellwood: One challenge I experienced was balancing the course load of two very different majors. Overcoming this involved a lot of time management and planning ahead, including sacrificing a few summer and winter breaks to get ahead on courses. Though it was challenging, I wouldn’t have it any other way because both majors played a pivotal role in shaping my experience at UD.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Ellwood: My favorite experiences at UD have been in the various musical ensembles I’ve been involved in throughout my time here. A big one for me was my involvement in the University of Delaware Marching Band. Coming in as a freshman, not knowing anyone and immediately getting put in a group of people that you get to know really well made the first few weeks at UD a lot less scary for me. The members of the UDMB truly treat each other like family, and through it, I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
I’ve also been involved with other ensembles such as the UD Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. This past year, I was principal flute in both, and being put in a leadership position that required me to lead rehearsals and provide guidance to others helped push me out of my comfort zone.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Ellwood: Throughout my time at UD, Joan Fico has been a big supporter of my pursuits, from writing recommendations for internship applications to keeping up to date with my performances and concerts. Knowing I have such a strong support system helped boost my confidence in my abilities and truly means a lot to me.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Ellwood: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means that your education doesn’t end at graduation. Every experience has the potential to help you grow if you are open to it.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Ellwood: I know it’s cliché, but don’t be afraid to try new things and go outside your comfort zone. Join that club you’ve been thinking about, apply to that job even if you don’t think you’re qualified for it, go for leadership roles – the worst thing that could happen is you end up not liking it or get told no, which isn’t so bad in the grand scheme of things.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Ellwood: I will be continuing at UD this fall to finish my degrees, so I’m still figuring out post-grad plans. However, I know it will involve finding a full-time job and sitting for the CPA exam. Additionally, I’m not done with my musical education quite yet and would like to pursue a master’s in flute performance in the future.