Mehakupinder Chahal can see the finish line. The St. Norbert College senior will graduate in May with a biology degree and a minor in economics, and with his sights set on helping others.
The Wisconsin Grant has gone a long way in helping Mehak. “The Wisconsin Grant is important to me not only due to the financial backing which provides me the opportunity to attend St. Norbert, but the ability to become more well-rounded through education, leadership, and work experience,” said Mehak.
Mehak, a member of the Honors Program at St. Norbert College, has found his calling: neuroscience. He has conducted extensive research on the effects of stress on Australian Zebra Finch, a species of small birds.
“My plans after college are to go on to medical school. I took the medical college exam last summer and will be sending out my applications in June. Until then, I am working in a hospital to get even more experience in the medical field. I hope to become a neurologist and use my neuroscience research to better the lives of my patients.”
Mehak is a graduate of Random Lake High School in Random Lake, Wisconsin, a place where everyone knows your name. “My graduating class was around 50-some students, so I am used to an environment where people know each other and look out for one another,” said Mehak.
St. Norbert College is exactly that, plus a few thousand people. That’s one of the main reasons why Mehak decided to enroll at St. Norbert. It didn’t hurt that the college had just opened a new state-ofthe-art science center.
“Between feeling like I was a part of a community and the $40 million brand-new Gehl-Mulva Science Center, St. Norbert had won my heart. It was the best decision I ever made,” said Mehak.
Mehak has taken advantage of his opportunities at St. Norbert. He has been a part of student government all four years. He is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity, which is home to many famous people – including Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers who was inducted into the Sigma Xi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon at St. Norbert College in 2012.
Mehak is also a student ambassador at St. Norbert, which entails giving tours of the college to prospective students and sharing his experiences along the way. He also volunteers for the Boys and Girls Club.
“St. Norbert gives students the opportunity to experience the richness of college life, pursue their dreams and expand their knowledge of the world,” Mehak says.
Mehakupinder Chahal left Random Lake with his eyes wide open. He’ll leave St. Norbert with a passion for helping others.
“I will always remember the connections I made at St. Norbert. I may not always remember exactly which genus sharks belong to, but I will always remember the amazing experiences my friends and I have had.”