Spartans of UD - Tatum Levendahl

Spartans of UD highlights what makes the University of Dubuque special - the people.

Tatum Levendahl, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, is a sophomore environmental science major. A dedicated student, she maintains a busy schedule outside of the classroom as a CREATE (Connecting Research, Experiences, and Application to Engagement) fellow and a member of the women's wrestling team, Jazz Band, and newly formed student organization Earth Advocates. In 2024, Tatum received the Wendt Character Athlete award for women's wrestling.

What inspired you to participate in the CREATE program?

"I was inspired to join the CREATE program because it would allow me to get hands-on experience with a research project. I didn't know what I wanted to research or if I would even like it, but I knew I should try it out to see if it interested me long-term. It has been an extremely rewarding experience, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to do what I do."

Can you share what you've learned so far through your CREATE research project?

"Through CREATE I've learned some hard lessons about teamwork and adaptability. The project I'm working on had many bumps in the road and it was challenging to find the direction we wanted to take with our research. There came a time when we doubted our ability to find a research question and thought all our hard-earned data collection went to waste. It didn't though; our team came together and collaborated to find a different route. We're still currently working on the project and are excited to see our results in the future. Other fun skills I've learned include catching and identifying insects, identifying prairie plants, using nets to catch fish, and assisting in capturing and taking samples from flying squirrels."

You're also a member of the University of Dubuque women's wrestling team, Jazz Band, and Earth Advocates. What do you enjoy most about being involved in such a variety of activities?

"Being a member of CREATE, the women's wrestling team, Jazz Band, and Earth Advocates exposes me to a wide range of people. I believe that it gives me the opportunity to build relationships and experiences with more members of the UD community. All these activities are also passions of mine; I take pride and joy in applying myself to become better at my crafts."

What advice would you share with future Spartans interested in being active on campus?

"I would tell future Spartans who want to be active on campus to pay attention to the flyers. There is something for everyone to enjoy and attendance is highly appreciated by those involved. Opportunities for student leadership and involvement are greatly encouraged here and can open pathways to developing new skills and meeting new people. At every campus event I have attended, I've met friendly and excited people who appreciate having students care about their event or cause. I've made great memories while attending barbecues, holiday events, and games with friends."

In your opinion, what makes the University of Dubuque unique?

"What makes the University of Dubuque unique is the sense of community here. There is a culture of involvement and knowing those around you. There is not one day that I walk on campus without someone smiling, waving, or saying hi to me. I feel important and appreciated by my peers, professors, and faculty. The relationships I have been able to build here go beyond just knowing my classmates, I also get to have professional relationships with adults who care about my success and well-being."