PHILADELPHIA – Elizabeth Jordan enjoyed an abundance of success in the pool last year for the Explorers, earning three medals at the A-10 Championships including gold and a school record in the 100 yard breaststroke. However, Jordan's summer out of the pool may be a more telling tale of her drive and desire to excel.
Jordan, a double-major in management/marketing, was invited to be a part of the La Salle Business School's travel study abroad program to China this summer. The 10-day venture to Beijing and Shanghai opened Jordan's eyes to a whole new world, one which the Tobyhanna, Pa. native could only have previously imagined.
“Being given the opportunity to travel to the other side of the world and experience a different culture is something that you simply can't put into words,” Jordan said.
The group from La Salle visited businesses they had studied in the spring semester including Lenovo, Hitachi, Bayer, and Jones Lang La Salle.
Jordan was thrilled with the amount of practical knowledge she was able to apply in engaging business in a whole new light.
“The travel study courses that La Salle offers are amazing,” Jordan said. “You get to apply what you learn in the classroom to real life experiences abroad.”
In addition to the vast academic value Jordan gained, some of her fondest memories of the trip came during sightseeing trips and interactions she had with the Chinese people.
“We visited the famous Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, and of course, the Great Wall of China,” Jordan said. “Along with the site visits we also were able to meet with University students and talk with them one on one.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience that I am never going to forget.”
Jordan is not likely to forget the 2011-12 season she and her teammates experienced, finishing third at the A-10 Championships in February after posting a 5-2 meet record during the regular season.
Entering her senior season, Jordan already holds three individual school records and has swam on four relay teams which hold the top times in La Salle history as well.
Jordan believes the best is still yet to come.
“With a great end to our season, coming back into this season we are more excited than ever,” Jordan said. “We started training the first week of September and I can confidently say that our team has never looked better.
“There are a lot of goals we want to accomplish this season and if we continue to train as hard as we've been and stay focused I don't think we will be disappointed come A-10's in February.
“We definitely have the potential to dominate the conference this season.”
Head coach
Matt Nunnally recognizes Liz's value to his team and views her work ethic as exemplary.
“Liz brings great leadership in her consistent focused approach,” Nunnally said. “She is a hard worker in the pool and is always working towards improving herself as an athlete. Liz does not leave anything to chance but rather works very hard on a daily basis to improve.”
Despite the fact that this season will most likely be Jordan's last of competitive swimming, the senior relishes her La Salle experience and the benefit that the swimming and diving program has had in her life.
“To this day I can still say choosing to come to La Salle University is the best decision I've ever made,” Jordan said. “I fell in love with this school the first day I walked the campus.
“Coming in freshman year I didn't really know what to expect but throughout these past few years I have been able to really see our program turn into something spectacular. Our coaches are incredible and the chemistry of the team is what has made my experience here the most enjoyable.
“La Salle is an amazing place and I'm proud to represent this University by being a student-athlete.”
Nunnally believes Jordan represents La Salle admirably in her well-rounded approach to life.
“Liz does a great job both in the classroom and the pool,” Nunnally said. “She holds herself to a very high standard academically and athletically and sets a fine example for the rest of her teammates.”
