Emma Fraley is a graduate of Baylor University where she studied Science Research Fellows as a pre-med student with a philosophy minor and was president of Gamma Alpha Upsilon, an unofficial LGBTQ student organization at the university. Fraley is serving as an Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern for the fall 2021 semester.
1. What story, verse or passage from your faith tradition’s sacred texts has significantly influenced / shaped your life?
1 John 4:7-8 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
2. Who are three people (other than your family) who have shaped your life and worldview? And why?
Richard Preston is a science author who wrote The Hot Zone and happens to be the reason I became interested in studying infectious disease. His books shaped much of my childhood because I was a strange child who preferred to read nonfiction. His coverage of the Ebola virus really created a passion in me to study viruses as a career.
Justin Lee is a gay Christian speaker and writer whose book, Torn, first educated me on the idea of an affirming Christian perspective. Prior to reading this text, I had no idea that gay people could be welcomed into modern Christianity. Clearly, his work changed the course of my adult life.
My mentor and professor, Dr. Klausmeyer, was one of the first people I met during undergrad at Baylor and was a consistent source of support during my college years (and beyond, I’m sure). Her persistent affirmations helped me through some of my most difficult years, and I am eternally grateful.
3. List three of your “desert island” books, movies or TV shows.
“Booksmart” has been my favorite film since it came out in 2019. I’ve seen it at least a dozen times, and it’s still just as good as I remember.
I don’t know if this is cheating, but if I can lump together the three (because there really are three) “Indiana Jones” films, I will. If I must choose, “Temple of Doom” is my personal favorite.
When I was younger, I tried to read the unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo. “Tried” is a key word here because I could just never finish it no matter how many times I tried. I have a feeling that if I were stranded on a desert island, I might be finally able to finish it. Worst case scenario, at least I’ll have 1,300 pages of kindling.
4. What is one of the most critical issues people are facing today?
We need to learn to be able to talk to each other.
Working across the aisle has always been a difficult issue, particularly in the U.S. But in a global community, this inability to cooperate becomes exacerbated when dealing with universal problems like climate change. We cannot even begin to deal with such monumental problems until we can actually work together to solve them.
5. What are a few of your hobbies?
I am a huge gamer! I’m a ranked player in the video game “Destiny 2” and spend almost all of my free time doing that. When I’m not playing, I love to cook (and eat) just about anything and really enjoy creating elaborate meals for my friends.
Outside of these, I’m usually reading several books at any given time. I recently finished Untamed by Glennon Doyle, and I’m already looking forward to reading it again.
6. If you could freeze your life into an already-lived 10 seconds, what would they be?
Anyone who has seen the Disney film “Ratatouille” will recognize the scene in which Remy takes bites of a delicious meal and is engulfed in colorful swirls of complex flavor.
I recently dined at a local New Orleans restaurant and was immediately reminded of this scene as I took each bite. I imagine this must be what the food in heaven tastes like.
7. Our tagline at Good Faith Media is, “There’s more to tell.” What’s your “more to tell”?
Listen to the kids! Young people are working to make great changes in all aspects of modern life. I promise we really do have some good ideas.
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