Racquel Bruton, CLA '97

I graduated in '97 and officially I finished in '96 from the College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in African American Studies. I am an immigrant to this country and my mom brought us here in 1980 from Jamaica. I grew up in East Norriton, Pennsylvania and I actually graduated from Bishop Kenrick High school.

When I applied to schools, I applied to Temple and I applied to Howard University. I immediately decided it was Temple. Temple to me seemed like the place where I could have a big university experience but still be close to home. And, you became part of the Temple life once you stepped on campus. The campus had a small feel to me. Even though I had biology classes with 300 - 400 people in a lecture, you even got to know who the homeless people were on campus.

I worked while I was on campus; I had to work because I contributed to my education. I actually got my first work-study job at the Department of Communications with Dr. Mirack. I always knew I wanted to get into the study of clinical research, which deals with drugs that are not yet approved by the FDA. So, I set my sights on going into clinical research and I've been in this, clinical research, now for 11 years.

I remember when I was pregnant with my first daughter I was working in Radnor and I wanted rice, hummus and chicken kabobs, and I drove from Radnor, Pennsylvania down here and Ollie remembered me with the hot sauce. I sat down, I ate it and I drove back to work.

Temple has a grassroots feel to it. You can get picked up in different things. I remember when there were Momia rallies, there were students who went to City Hall. We would do road trips to Howard; trips to see their football team and their marching band at halftime because at the time Temple football wasn't, you know.