Walking across campus seems so simple.
But it’s not for Andrea Frey. Born with cerebral palsy, the Nebraska Wesleyan University senior tries to navigate campus like most others despite challenges to her walking gait and balance.
Nebraska Wesleyan’s small campus was a selling point when she was making her college choice.
“One of the things I liked about NWU was how small the campus was and the ease of being able to get around,” she said.
During her childhood, she endured numerous surgeries to address symptoms of cerebral palsy. But she’s never let her challenges stand in her way. Take for example, her work as a liberal arts seminar student instructor; or her decision to skydive during a study abroad program in Australia; or her summer internship with the Federal Reserve in Kansas City.
“I might not be able to do everything the same way as everyone else,” said Frey. “I just find a different way to do it and get it done.”
Frey’s refusal to let anything stand in her way got the attention of university administrators and the student body. This spring she was honored with the Kenneth Holder Memorial Award, which is awarded each year to a student who has overcome significant challenges in attaining a bachelor’s degree at NWU.
“Andrea has some considerable disabilities that affect her ability to walk, but they don’t affect her courage,” said James Schaffer, professor of English. “Andrea is one of the smartest, bravest, and kindest students I have ever known at Wesleyan.”
Frey co-instructed Schaffer’s liberal arts seminar titled, “Dogs are People Too,” which explored American’s relationships with their pets. Frey was responsible for organizing class discussions, writing quizzes and critiquing student research papers.
“Andrea did a wonderful job of challenging students during class discussions with thoughtful and insightful remarks,” said Schaffer.
In January she traveled with health and human performance professor Pat Pettit and 13 Nebraska Wesleyan students on a study abroad program to Australia where she demonstrated her courage by skydiving. She was the first student to jump from the plane.
Now she’s spending her summer in Kansas City where she is interning with the Federal Reserve, a prestigious position offered to a small number of students. Earlier this year she applied for the position and made it through the first round of interviews. An intense in-person interview solidified her for a position researching data the will impact important budget decisions.
“I was looking for something that was a little bit of a challenge,” she said of her internship. “It will be really hands-on.”
Her can-do attitude makes it no surprise that she’ll graduate a semester early — December 2014 — with a major in business administration and minors in accounting, finance and religion. After graduation, she plans to pursue a banking career.
“ I don’t think of myself as doing anything spectacular,” she said. “I’m just a very determined and independent person."