Annika (Anni) Pickard is the Templeton Honors College Communications Intern and was instrumental to the success of the 25th Anniversary Gala. Read on to learn about Anni, as well as the thought and care that brought the 25th Anniversary Gala to life.
Introduce yourself! (Name, where are you from, major at Eastern)
I am Annika Pickard – A Jersey girl majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Journalism and Marketing. I’ve also studied (and mastered) pumping my own gas.
How did you come to the Templeton Honors College?
I was a fearful little incoming freshman–afraid of big questions, afraid to be wrong, and afraid of judgement. But, in just a 30-minute interview with Dr. Reimer, I realized that there was no reason to be afraid. I quickly learned that questions are good and exploring answers is exciting. And I wanted to explore here. Coming to Templeton is truly one of the greatest blessings of my life.
When did you decide to be a Communications major and what drew you to this study?
Growing up I would always be working on some sort of project. I would force my siblings to play “dance recital” so I could craft the programs, "restaurant” so I could design the menus, and “school” so I could organize the schedule. I captured countless movies, commercials, and photoshoots on my red digital camera. I loved to write stories. I loved an audience. I loved to yap. So when it came time to pick a major, I figured, “Welp, might as well get paid for what I’ve been doing my whole life.”
When did the idea for a gala come about and how/when did you get involved in the planning?
We kicked off gala planning at the start of the Spring 2025 semester. I’d been a Communications Intern for Templeton since freshman year, and I figured helping with the gala would be a fun new challenge. I came in with a lot of ideas, and Dr. Williams gave me plenty of freedom to try new things and really make the project my own.
“...I’ve learned that the most meaningful (and rewarding!) way to tackle something difficult is to move through it slowly but steadily. One sentence, one step, one task on the to-do list at a time.”
What part(s) of the gala planning process came naturally to you and what felt like more of a challenge?
I loved dreaming up all the design details like the florals, the invitations, the programs, etc. Creating those pieces was so much fun; it felt like I was back designing menus at my pretend restaurant.
Balancing the gala work alongside my summer internship and fall semester schoolwork definitely kept me on my toes. It was a challenge to get everything done and stay energized, but coffee helped a lot!
Were there any moments/details on the night of the gala that were especially satisfying to see come to life after a long time of preparation?
It was incredibly rewarding to see everything come to life exactly the way I’d imagined it. I was especially proud of the table decor and floral arrangements—they turned out better than I hoped. And honestly, the best part was just to watch everyone catch up and enjoy each other’s company.
How has your Templeton education and experiences shaped how you approach your study of Communications and the kind of work that goes into planning something like the Anniversary Gala?
Some of the readings and coursework in Templeton classes can be really challenging to get through. They demand time, energy, and a lot of patience as you chew on the material and slowly work toward a deeper understanding of the text. It’s definitely tempting to take the easy route and just Google a summary, but I’ve learned that the most meaningful (and rewarding!) way to tackle something difficult is to move through it slowly but steadily. One sentence, one step, one task on the to-do list at a time.
At the gala, we as a community celebrated and reflected on the past 25 years of the Templeton Honors College. You have a milestone in your own life approaching: graduation in December! Do you have special memories from your time at Eastern and Templeton?
Some people might not know this, but my cohort is actually the best cohort in the history of the Honors College. So that’s been pretty fun. I deeply love and care for every one of them and will really miss being able to pick their brains, share stories, and hang out on a daily basis.