Third time’s the charm: Triple Eagle walks in December

December 9, 2016

This Fall, nearly 1,700 graduates will walk across the stage in Paulson Stadium to become University alumni. One Eagle in particular will make this walk for the third time, giving her an official “Triple Eagle” status.

Erin Lawson (‘11, ‘14, ‘16), began her academic career with Georgia Southern as a pre-communications major in 2007. The Portal, Georgia, native had a hunger for learning and a drive to succeed. Choosing Georgia Southern came naturally to Lawson, as she had grown up falling in love with her “hometown” university.

“I remember taking field trips to the [Georgia Southern] Museum in elementary school and having picnic lunches on Sweetheart Circle,” said Lawson. “It was an amazing opportunity to be able to go back as an adult and have a newfound appreciation for the University I so loved as a kid.”

After taking her first introduction to psychology course, Lawson changed career paths with more drive than ever.

“Once I took that first psychology course, I was hooked,” said Lawson. “I knew that no matter how long it took or how much effort it required of me, I would be a psychologist someday.”

Upon graduating with her B.S. in psychology in 2011, Lawson began the Psy.D program at the University. She earned her M.S. in psychology in 2014 and later moved to Delray Beach, Florida, to complete an internship for her Psy.D. at the Faulk Center for Counseling in September 2015.

“The psychology department at Georgia Southern University is filled completely with knowledgeable, genuine, enthusiastic and truly phenomenal faculty,” said Lawson. “I can’t say enough about how much each of my professors encouraged and supported me through coursework, practicum experiences, dissertation and so many other components of the program. I wouldn’t be the person I am today, both personally and professionally, without having been touched by each of their individual influences.”

Lawson currently resides in Florida and is working toward licensure as a psychologist as a postdoctoral resident at Caron Renaissance, a substance abuse treatment center. In her free time, she loves to do improv and is training to become an instructor for beginner improv classes.