The sciences always appealed to Lasallian Fellow Tristan Henthorn, but when he arrived at CBU four years ago, he was on the fence about whether to focus his studies on astronomy, marine biology, life sciences, or medicine.
The combination of an excellent professor and a life-changing loss resulted in a path forward.
As he began to explore the sciences available at CBU, Tristan enrolled in courses taught by Dr. Lyndsey M. Pierson, the Dean of the Department of Biology. Her enthusiasm for her subject matter was contagious.
“She was very knowledgeable in the course and passionate about being with students,” said Tristan, who is set to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology. “Even if a class is hard, being around professors who love what they are doing is motivating.”
Biology is a degree that opens doors in many fields, including research, conservation, education, and healthcare. Tristan is studying to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and will apply to medical schools immediately following graduation. A yearlong application season opens in May 2025 for a fall 2026 start date.
A Life in Sciences Decision After a Life Changing Loss
His decision to pursue healthcare as a career stemmed from interactions with doctors and other medical professionals during his father’s terminal illness. Tristan was a CBU freshman when his father passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive, malignant brain tumor. The experience was hard on the entire family, and Tristian experienced—unfiltered and first-hand—the importance of quality health care. Tristan is particularly interested in neurology and research.
“I saw the impact that illness had on my family and how great care can help a family work through it,” he said. “Compassionate doctors are more understanding and help you work through the issues.”
Desiring to bring more learning opportunities to similarly minded students, in 2024, Tristan founded Aspiring Physicians of CBU, a way to connect the university’s pre-med community. He sets up in-depth speaker meetings to discuss current issues in medicine. A recent talk was on the local and national shortage of primary care physicians. In another session, a trauma surgeon came in and taught the group how to suture. He’s working now to secure funding for a student scholarship.
Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve
“Tristan is everything we hope a CBU student will be,” said Dr. Pierson, whose courses include Principles of Biology I and II and Vertebrate Embryology. “He embodies each of the Lasallian values in his learning and his leadership on campus, and he has positively impacted the lives of our students, faculty and staff in so many ways.
“He is intelligent, persistent, passionate, empathetic, and supremely dedicated to bettering and advancing our community. Tristan is someone that everyone on our campus can learn from and look up to, and I appreciate his hard work, his compassionate and giving nature, and his drive to see everything he undertakes through to a successful end.”
Originally from Olive Branch, Miss., Tristan learned about CBU through cousins who attended the university and were involved in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He followed in their footsteps and credits the social organization for transforming him into a leader. This year, he has served as the president and philanthropy chair of TKE and helped raise more than $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Tristan is an impact player-always wanting to leave things better than he found them,” said Wilson Phillips, Administrative Coordinator in Student Affairs. “Not only have I witnessed him make a difference in several student organizations, I have seen what those positions have done for his self-awareness. Never one for the limelight, Tristan has found his voice and identified his purpose while at CBU. He truly embodies our motto of entering to learn and leaving to serve.”
Leaving his legacy at CBU, Tristan is among five seniors named to the Class of 2025 Lasallian Fellows, a top honor at the university. Faculty and staff nominate those selected for embodying the values of scholarship, service, inclusion, faith, and justice set forth by CBU’s founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle.
