Laura Morefield had carefully constructed a clear path to her future—graduate high school and attend college. There were no forks in her road, no speed bumps. Her path was set and straightforward. When it came time to move down her path to college after she graduated from Gateway Christian Schools in Memphis, Tenn., she wanted to find an institution that was out of town so she could grow up and explore the world on her own. However, Martin Methodist had other plans for her in the form of a full-ride scholarship.
Unable to decline such a tremendous offer, Laura accepted, and her straightforward path was suddenly jagged, branching out in all different directions. However, she pushed forward and prepared to explore the world a little closer to her home in Lewisburg, Tenn. than originally planned.
“Once I got to Martin Methodist, I absolutely loved it,” said Laura. “I realized that at a bigger school, I wouldn’t really be me—I would just be a name or number on a roster. My degree program was challenging me academically to be the best version of myself. Through the guidance of my advisor and professors, I was able to discover my calling. I believe that my professors truly prepared me for my current career and were there every step of my academic career.”
After she earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis in Fitness Management in 2009, Laura began working for Martin Methodist because she wanted to impact others the way Martin Methodist impacted her. She served as faculty secretary while she worked to complete her master’s from Tennessee Tech University. With support from her family, friends, and colleagues, she earned her Master of Arts in Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Wellness with an emphasis in Lifetime Wellness in 2012. With two degrees now under her belt, Laura became a full-time faculty member, and later, Program Coordinator for Human Performance and Physical Education.
“I love interacting with students and seeing the ‘ah-ha’ moments when they finally grasp certain concepts,” said Laura. “The Martin Methodist family has been a blessing in my life, and I want to be a part of that, not just on campus, but in the community as well.”
While currently taking on many roles on campus, Laura is also branching out all across the local community. She participates in many community events, including volunteer work for the Giles County Special Olympics. She also serves on the Board at Tennessee by the Tennessee Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD) as the VP elect for the general division, where she was recently recognized as an outstanding professional in TAHPERD.
Despite having her path changed in ways she’s never imagined, Laura took on every challenge that came at every turn and every bend, proving that experience and success can come from every corner of the world.