Billy Sullivan
Class of 2008
- Hometown: Massapequa, NY
- Hall: O'Neill
- Major: Science Pre-Professional and Psychology
What was your first impression of ND when you arrived on campus?
My first experience of Notre Dame was at a home football game when I was a senior in High School. I spent more time watching the students in the student section across the stadium from me than I did the football game itself. After watching them sing, dance and cheer together, I couldn't help but smile and know that my decision had been made: I wanted to be a part of that family.
What are your favorite things about student life at ND?
The students at Notre Dame are full of so much energy! Everyone here is willing and able to share their gifts and talents with everyone who surrounds them. From students helping each other with school work, to supporting their friends in intramural sports, everything here at Notre Dame is always done with such enthusiasm. You’re not going to find a more creative, intelligent, and hysterical group of students anywhere else.
What prompted you to choose Science Pre-Professional and Psychology as dual majors?
Over time, I have found that I have a very strong passion and love for people, so I’ve decided to get to know them at well as possible. By understanding people on their chemical, emotional, biological and spiritual levels, I hope to bring support and comfort to the practice of medicine that is essential to treating the entire person. So much more than physical care is needed from a physician, and I hope I can find the ability to bring that support to my patients.
Extra-curricular involvement:
I've been an ND Vision "Mentor in Faith," Religious Education Teacher, and Freshmen Pre-Med Chemistry Tutor. I served on the Sophomore and Freshmen Retreat Teams, did Organic Chemistry Research, participated in a Summer Service Learning Program, and played Inter-hall Baseball and Soccer. I also did an Appalachia Seminar through the Center for Social Concerns.
What do you think makes ND unique from other universities?
Yes, I have found that Notre Dame is a very academic university, but you can find that anywhere that has a group of smart students. It's the character of the students at Notre Dame and how supportive they are of each other in times of need, even in the small situations when you just need someone to listen to you, that sets this special place apart from the rest. The students here care about each other on such a deeper emotional and spiritual level than I have been able to find anywhere else.
What are some of the things you enjoy about living in the residence hall?
For me, the single sex residence hall has been an incredibly supportive environment. It's a place where us guys can get to know each other on a very real level, where we don't have to try and impress anyone. It's a place where I have truly found that guys can truly be guys... and guys are a lot of fun.
Do you have any words of wisdom to offer an incoming ND student?
Try to make a concerted effort never to eat a meal alone. The people that surround you here are absolutely phenomenal, and taking the time to get to know someone, especially someone who doesn't share the same major or interests as you, can be an awesome experience.
Additional comments:
Notre Dame has become my home away from home. You couldn't ask for anything more in an environment that truly supports and brings the best out in all of the people in its family. And that’s just what we are: one big family.