Multi-Ethnic Programs

Ames Scholarship

Patricia “Pia” Durias

2007–08 freshman Ames Scholar Pia Durias

Shorewood High School
Shoreline, Wash.

Intended Major:
Nursing

Finding Her Place

Patricia “Pia” Durias enjoys throwing herself into new situations. Not someone who waits for people and things to come to her, Pia goes after them herself — an approach to living that her parents encouraged.

Her father graduated from law school the Philippines before settling in the United States, and ultimately entered the field of research and development. He stressed the importance of a quality education and not settling for less than the best. He and her mother also taught Pia resilience and adaptability — giving her the ability to navigate any kind of situation.

Pia has been putting this into practice since her days at Shorewood High School. Located in Shoreline, Washington, SHS had an ever-increasing immigrant student population, in which Pia began connecting with other immigrant students immediately. She found herself a natural fit.

Now an Ames Scholar, Pia brought these same qualities with her to SPU. A future Class of 2011 graduate, she completed her first quarter with a 3.66 GPA. She also shares her culture and perspectives as an immigrant with new friends in her residence hall, has found her place in the Hawaiian club, and in the Nursing Cadre, a small group of students exploring how their faith intersects their future health care careers.

In her transition to college life, Pia says she's appreciated connecting with her faculty mentor — a professor in the nursing school. "The nursing program at SPU is very competitive," she says. "So it's nice to know I have an ally."

Meet all of the 2007-08 Ames Scholars.

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