Assumption College

Richelle Abrahams ’09 Fast Forwards to College and Career

Richelle Abrahams ’09 got off to a fast start at Assumption. Richelle arrived on campus from Windsor (Conn.) with enough college credits, earned in an accelerated high school program, to enroll as a sophomore during her first year on campus. Life as a college student continued in the fast lane for Richelle because she had to declare a major by her second semester, a year sooner than usual for a first-year Assumption student. Given her great interest and growing talent in drawing, painting and other visual arts, Richelle decided to follow her heart and declared herself an art major. She calls it the “best decision I ever made.”

Once her passion for art had become her career path, Richelle found the confidence to make another bold decision. She would devote most of the summer after her junior year to creating and appreciating art, while refining her skills with a paint brush and graphite pencil. With strong encouragement from fine arts professor Jeremy Long, Richelle applied to an eight-week art program offered by the prestigious Chautauqua Institution’s School of Art in upstate New York. Not only was she accepted, she was awarded a scholarship.

“The (Chautauqua) program opened so many doors for me,” Richelle says. “This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the help from my art professors at Assumption. At Chautauqua, I learned to really look at art and find deeper meanings in the pieces I observed. For me, art is like a language – a relaxing, melodic language that I now can understand.”

As a senior, Richelle carries a full academic load, including up to three art-related courses each semester. In addition, Richelle leads a busy life out of class. She is a second-year resident assistant, captain of the Assumption step team, and an active member of the ALANA Network on campus. She looks forward to life after graduation and credits her professors with helping her to prepare for continued success.

“The professors at Assumption take different approaches to teaching, and I really enjoy and have learned from that,” Richelle says. “I feel ready to take on the world after graduation. I will never forget the great atmosphere here and the encouragement to follow your passion.”