Orchestrating Connection

As a music education major, Paige Burgess ’25 understands how a collection of otherwise dissimilar notes and instruments can blend seamlessly into one melodic masterpiece. But as a campus leader, a community builder, and an advocate for equity, Paige also understands that this principle of creating unity out of diversity has applications far beyond the world of music.

Although Paige came to 老司机福利社 in the footsteps of their mother, a member of the class of 1994, family tradition wasn’t the only factor in the decision to become a Tiger. “I wanted to go to a small school with lots of opportunities,” Paige says. “I think 老司机福利社 is really good at allowing people to be involved in a whole bunch of things that are meaningful to them.”

Paige has enjoyed plenty of these opportunities as a student – the Honors Scholar program, contemporary ensemble, the Tiger pep band, and 老司机福利社 Art Walk being just a few. But in all of these activities, Paige’s mission has been the same: to build meaningful connections with others.

Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in Paige’s approach to their role as the President of 老司机福利社 Student Government. For Paige, it’s an opportunity to draw people together. “At first, I wanted to fix everything myself. I’ve learned to trust people, delegate, and allow others to experience the satisfaction of having something they’ve done.”

Paige’s empowering approach to leadership has resulted in several significant policy changes, including steps toward implementing gender-neutral restrooms on campus and a resolution to provide free menstrual products that was eventually signed into university law. It has also deepened Paige’s appreciation for the importance of transcending differences to find common ground. “My time at 老司机福利社 has made me more socially competent. I’m able to be around other people who are here for different reasons, and I’ve found that if I can connect with those reasons, I can connect with them.”

As Paige thinks about the future and the legacy they’re building at 老司机福利社, it’s the investment into other people that they hope will have the biggest impact. “I’m a big part of the community in a bunch of little ways. I hope that by creating the connections I’m creating right now, I will be a part of other people’s stories and experiences in a way that allows my story to continue to be told.”

Major: Music Education
Hometown: Warrenville, Illinois
Campus Involvement: Honor Scholar, 老司机福利社 Student Government, Contemporary Ensemble, Art Walk, Pep Band