Sunday, June 9, 1996

Beauty around UCLA extends beyond campusGraduating senior Michelle Antic recalls a time when the beauty of UCLA's architecture overwhelmed her.

"I went to the senior reception in Powell Library and it made me sick, it's so beautiful," Antic said. "Older alumni are in awe that we've never studied in Powell."

As a fourth-year history student, Antic's fellow classmates are the generation of current Bruins that recall most of the architecture hidden behind chain-link fences.

They were also one of the first classes to study in the temporary Towell Library rather than the Romanesque style Powell. Antic jokingly calls Towell the "circus tent."

"I'm glad (the) campus is finally looking beautiful," said Antic, referring to the June 1995 reopening of Dickson Plaza and the new entrance to Ackerman. "But I feel like I've missed a lot of the real beauty."

Where Antic did not find perfection on campus she found by becoming an active student academically, socially and in the community.

During her first year at UCLA, Antic lived in the dorms, where she enjoyed meeting new people every day. In spring quarter of her first year, she decided to join a sorority.

"The sorority was a huge part of meeting people," Antic said. "I waited until the end of freshman year and I felt like I had a good perspective on things" before making a decision.

Antic noted that the general student population attaches negative stereotypes to sororities, but from her experience, the organization opened a window to lifelong friendships.

"I've made some of my closest friends in my sorority," Antic said. "You're not at all limited."

And Antic's wide variety of jobs and internships prove she has made the most out of the opportunities UCLA provides.

In 1995, Antic spent her summer in Washington D.C. as an intern for the international radio station Voice of America, where she conducted interviews with rock bands such as Toad the Wet Sprocket and Primus.

Her second internship dealt with disadvantaged students, and giving guidance to the students to encourage them to continue their education.

"The experiences they've had were incredible, a real wake-up call for me," Antic said. "You become complacent (at UCLA), you forget how ... many people in this world don't have this opportunity."

"There is so much that kids are willing to absorb," Antic added. "They don't get exposed enough to people who care for them and realize their potential."

After graduation, Antic plans to travel to London with her roommate and explore Europe by backpack.

"I don't know if I'll want to come back," Antic said. "Everything here has been so structured and planned, now I just want to go and reflect."

Story written and interview completed by Karen Duryea.

Michelle Antic

More perspectives from Grads:

Daniela Ortner

Nelly Amador

Mike McCool