Prior to Commencement on May 16, graduating seniors shared their Hiram stories, showcasing how Hiram prepared them for the world after graduation.
Lydia Koszegi

English Major
Writing, History, Asian Studies Minors

Campus Involvement:

  • Writing Center Tutor
  • Student Writer for the Office of Strategic Marketing and Media Relations
  • Hiram Poetry Review Student Editor
  • Garfield Center for Public Leadership 

Lydia’s Hiram College experience was one where curiousity, creativity, and community all came together.

An English major with minors in writing, history, and Asian studies, Lydia immersed herself in campus life through leadership and storytelling. She served as the lead tutor at the Writing Center, worked as a student writer for the Office of Media and Strategic Marketing, contributed as a student editor for the Hiram Poetry Review, and participated in the Garfield Center for Public Leadership. Through each role, she found new ways to grow as both a writer and a leader.

What made Hiram special to Lydia was simple: the people. “The students are all really friendly, and the staff and faculty are all great,” she says. “They really make Hiram what it is.”

That support helped Lydia build confidence in her future career path. This summer, she’ll begin working as an editorial intern for Cleveland Magazine, gaining hands-on experience before pursuing a career in publishing. She credits Hiram for helping her feel prepared to take that next step. “Hiram gave me the experience and confidence I needed to break into my intended field,” she shares.

One of Lydia’s proudest accomplishments came through her senior capstone project, Farewell and Adieu to You Massachusetts Sailors: Analyzing Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Her project explored the connections between Moby-Dick and Jaws, examining how Melville’s novel helped shape the film into an enduring American classic. Presenting her work to friends, family, and professors became one of her favorite Hiram memories. “I had put so much time and effort into it, and having it received so well made it all feel really special,” she says.

As graduation approaches, Lydia knows it’s the relationships she’ll miss most—not only the friendships she built with fellow students, but also the professors who challenged and encouraged her throughout her time at Hiram. “My professors genuinely cared about me and my progress,” she says. “They really helped me grow.” 

Her advice for incoming students reflects the mindset that shaped her own experience: 

Try everything you can. Apply for the job, internship, or program even if it feels out of reach. You’d be surprised by what you’re capable of. Don’t be afraid to go down a different path than the one you originally planned. Being flexible and open-minded can change your life.

Looking back on her four years, Lydia says being part of Hiram’s history means a great deal to her. “Hiram College has been around for a very long time, and it feels like a great honor to have been part of its legacy.”