Alex Werne: Running the Distance

   Hi everyone! Lauren here!

I recently interviewed a fellow LVC Colleague of mine, Alex Werne!  Alex is a junior Honors student majoring in Biomedical Engineering from Hollis, New Hampshire, and I learned so much about this Husky!

The RunUC team after a meet!

Attending an out-of-state school can be intimidating for anyone.  There are so many unfamiliar places and faces, and it is extremely easy to become overwhelmed, especially when your entire family is from New Hampshire.

Alex and his brother and sister. Alex’s family attended Perdue University, including his parents as well as his younger brother. However, Alex took a different path and decided to attend UConn. After taking two campus tours as well as participating in UConn’s Husky for a Day program, he knew he loved UConn’s campus. What solidified his choice was the ability to get reduced tuition at the University for majoring in Biomedical Engineering through the New England Regional Student Tuition Break Program. He was also looking for a school with an accomplished athletic program where he could continue his passion for running.

As a freshman, Alex found himself to be homesick being so far away from home.  During the first week of school, he decided to join RunUC, UConn’s club running team, and has remained an active member ever since.  Joining the team helped Alex find other students who shared a common interest in running, making him feel more at home.  As a junior, he still remains close with those friends, as he lives with two of them in Busby Suites.

Another way in which Alex acclimated was by joining the Biomedical Engineering Society.  There he met many of his friends, including upperclassmen who even became mentors.  He also participated in an internship over the course of two summers in which he shadowed a neurosurgeon in Boston.  Being up close with the

Future doctor in the making!

human body, Alex decided he wanted to pursue medical school after he graduates.

When I asked him about his future goals, Alex responded that he wanted to be front row for the upcoming UConn/Syracuse men’s basketball game which will be aired on ESPN’s Game Day.  He also hopes to study abroad in France this summer, utilizing the French he learned in high school.

After learning more about Alex, I can tell he is definitely one Husky who is on the right track (and field.)  (I’m so funny.)