Olympian April Holmes put her 2008 gold medal into the hands of Northwestern students Monday afternoon, warning them not to walk off with it.
“Remember, I’m the fastest amputee in the world – don’t think you can get out of these doors with my medal,” the Paralympic runner said jokingly amid the laughter of students.
NU students gathered at the Woman’s Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Ave., to meet three Olympic athletes and network with campus recruiters from Deloitte, a professional services firm specializing in auditing, taxes, financial advising and consulting.
Deloitte, a sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Committee, brought Olympians Shani Davis, Natalie Coughlin and April Holmes to speak with NU undergraduates and showcase the values Deloitte shares with the Olympics, said Audra Falk, a Deloitte recruiter at NU.
“These values include a commitment to diversity, passion and excellence that correlates with the spirit of the Olympic Games,” said Deb DeHaas, vice chairman of Deloitte and an NU trustee.
“Deloitte is very involved with the U.S. Olympic Committee.” DeHaas said. “It’s a really important way to bring athletes and people close together and see what we can all accomplish around a common goal.”
After the crowd passed around the gold medal, it was safely returned to Holmes, who came in first for the 100-meter race at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Holmes said she hopes students keep dreaming and get involved with their community.
“Our communities just need people to breathe life into them,” she said.
Gold-medal speed skater Davis, who trained in Evanston as a child, encouraged students to pursue their passions despite people who do not support them.
“You might not know where you want to go, but you need to truly believe in yourself,” Davis told students.
Coughlin, an Olympic swimmer with 11 medals, said college students should not beat themselves up for receiving a B on a test and instead should look at how fortunate being at NU makes them.
Coughlin, who appeared on the 2009 season of “Dancing with the Stars,” said she puts her setbacks in perspective and does not value her three gold medals more than her four bronze and four silver medals.
“Each and every one is special to me and represents a whole career,” Coughlin said.
NU students, some in street clothes and others in business attire with portfolios in hand, waited in line to meet the athletes and receive autographs.
Pratik Shah, a Weinberg senior interested in working for Deloitte, said he appreciated the sentiments expressed by all three Olympians.
“You need to find out what you’re passionate about and take setbacks as they come,” Shah said.
Marybeth Hall, a Weinberg sophomore and member of NU’s swim team, came straight from swim practice to attend the event. Hall, who excitedly waited in line to meet Coughlin, said accomplished Olympians like Coughlin motivate her.
“It shows where working hard can get you,” Hall said. “It definitely inspires me to find something I’m passionate about.”
