RICHARD ALDAN

Biochemistry major with pre-professional emphasis
Class of May 2019

Richard Aldan, a senior biochemistry major, is from the island of Saipan, the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth of the United States in the Western Pacific Ocean.

Originally planning to be a theology major, Richard’s college search was centered on Bible schools. Sophomore year of high school, his homeroom teacher was a Lee alum, and during his senior year of high school, Dr. Bill Kamm, a professor in Lee’s Helen DeVos College of Education, did a teaching trip in Saipan. Richard kept hearing about Lee, knew that it was a good school for theology, and liked that it was in a smaller town – similar in pace to his island home.

Rugby player, dean’s scholar, teacher’s assistant, iMASS scholar and senior mentor, and president of Alpha Phi Delta, Richard has been deeply involved in campus life during his four years at Lee. The most meaningful thing about his college years, however, has been his interactions with professors.

“The professors at Lee are so approachable and they really care,” said Richard, “I struggled with math in high school, but Dr. Debra Gladden in my calculus class gave me the confidence to believe that I could succeed. Her faith in me helped me to have faith in myself.”