Trinity in Four Acts: Drew Smith
(Elizabeth Richardson/Trinity Communications)
Sophomore year is when things start to click, and the unknowns become the familiar. Classes feel more purposeful, friendships run deeper, routines develop and campus becomes home. As our four Trinity students return, the series picks back up to follow their next chapter focused on exploring new opportunities, choosing majors and finding momentum. Through stories, photos, videos and social updates, we’ll capture the energy as they lean in, step up — and hit their stride.
Finding Their Stride: Fall Semester
“Last year, when I stuck to a good schedule for homework assignments and studying, rather than cramming the night before, it made all aspects of my life manageable."
When we last spoke with Drew Smith, he was days away from finals — and from a surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Both went well, but the long recovery followed by many months of rehabilitation gave him a new lesson to master: “I really had to learn patience,” he admits. “Because my arm was immobile for a month, all the muscles were like Jello. I had to slowly build all that back, and the self-control and patience I learned have really helped me grow.”
His patience was further tested when he returned to Oregon to convalesce and rehab. The Duke men’s track and field team won its first-ever ACC Outdoor Championship in May, and Smith had to cheer them on from the sidelines (his couch). “I followed the entire meet and kept track of the standings, and when I couldn’t be there with my teammates to encourage them and then celebrate the win — that was tough.”
But he’s looking at this setback as his greatest motivator to get back to work. With only a few months left of physical therapy, he’s on a return-to-throwing protocol with Duke Athletics and is confident he’ll be throwing the javelin when the season starts this spring.
While most of Smith’s summer focused on physical therapy, he did make time for some adventures: Lollapalooza and Walt Disney World with his sister; Chicago, including a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (they beat the Orioles); and Walt Disney Land with the family. “This was kind of like the last hurrah for my carefree summers,” he explains. “I'll be staying at Duke for track for a good chunk of next summer, and I've been flirting with the idea of doing a study abroad in Geneva if my schedule allows.”
Along with patience, Smith has learned consistency — not just with his physical therapy but also with his study habits. “Last year, when I stuck to a good schedule for homework assignments and studying, rather than cramming the night before, it made all aspects of my life manageable,” he shares. “I’m going to be really mindful of sticking to a schedule this year, so I can maintain a healthy balance between studying and socializing.”
The undecided sophomore will have to declare a major this year. While he’s still leaning toward Economics, he’s continuing to take classes that spark his interest — like Roman Spectacle. “The class is awesome. I just like the history of gladiatorial games and spectacles in ancient Rome.”
Smith also likes his new dorm on West Campus and the ease of walking to classes, the library and the dining options. “I don’t miss having to budget time for navigating the C1 bus from East Campus.”
And he still plans to explore. The first place on his list: a road trip to the Outer Banks. “I want to see the whales I learned about in my Marine Megafauna class in the spring.”
Drew and his sister cheered on the Cubs as they beat the Baltimore Orioles at Wrigley Field.
A trip to Chicago wouldn't be complete without a stop at Millenium to see “The Bean.”
Seeing Tyler the Creator perform at Lollapalooza this summer was definitely a highlight of Drew’s summer.
Summers at home mean quality time spent with the furriest member of the Smith family: Wrigley the pooch.
Beginnings and Discoveries: Spring Semester
May 19, 2025
“Exploration and wellness, it’s been a reoccurring theme for me.”
Drew Smith’s first-semester nerves are long gone, replaced by a quiet confidence now that he’s found his rhythm and “a great group of friends.”
Inching toward an Economics major, he’s keeping an open mind and exploring a few more Political Science courses before making a decision, while continuing to make the most of Trinity’s diverse academic offerings. His Intro to Stats class “was so much fun,” and Marine Megafauna, which he took with some of his friends, broadened his views on the natural world in ways he didn’t expect.
“I'm from the West Coast and grew up very familiar with orcas,” he shares, “but learning about the big marine life that exists on the East Coast gave me a totally different perspective and appreciation.”
Smith’s new outlook also extended beyond his coursework. Acknowledging that he grew up in an insular-ish community in Oregon, Smith is excited to be part of the larger Duke community. “I’m constantly meeting people from so many backgrounds and parts of the world,” he shares. “As my peers continue to share their stories and experiences, I’m appreciative of the different perspectives that coexist on campus.”
He's the first to admit that in the fall, he had some serious tunnel vision and put too much of a priority on tests and grades to the point of missing out on much of the social side of college. “I kind of overcompensated by locking myself in my room and studying,” he recalls. “This semester, I focused on understanding my subjects rather than setting unhealthy expectations of perfect grades — and I learned so much more.” Smith also credits his friends with encouraging him to branch out of his comfort zone and find a healthy life balance.
And while he still misses his family and friends back home, Smith has built a supportive community here. “I have two different spheres in my life, my hometown and Duke,” he says, “and I’ve really grown comfortable in this one as I’m learning how to balance my independence and responsibilities — but seeing my family during Parents Weekend was nice.”
That sense of balance was recently shaken as Smith geared up for the start of Duke’s outdoor track season and his event, the javelin. A torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, connecting the humerus to the ulna, sidelined him from competition and led to surgery. “It’s a setback,” he says, “but setbacks make you stronger.” Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, Smith puts it all into perspective. “It’s a long rehab process, but I know I’m getting better every day,” he says. “It’s an evolution, and I know I’ll come out the other side a better athlete.”
With time to reflect on his first year at Duke, Smith encourages the incoming class to embrace new experiences, find a healthy balance between academics and social life and make the most of campus resources — whether it’s academic support or something more unexpected, like dog yoga at the Wellness Center.
And he definitely plans to follow his own advice when he returns to campus in August.
“Exploration and wellness, it’s been a reoccurring theme for me.”
Post-op and powering through, Smith and his friends recharge before finals hit.
Smith and his roommate making memories at Wallace Wade.
Smith’s built more than friendships at Duke — he’s found a second family.
From orientation to game days, friends make Duke feel like home.
Smith and friends making the most of Duke soccer.
Beginnings and Discoveries: Fall Semester
December 17, 2024
“Not having to declare my major for a year and a half gives me the time and freedom to explore. I want to test myself to see how much I can learn in different fields and subjects."
Drew Smith grew up in a small, tight-knit community 45 minutes south of Portland, Oregon. When it came time for college, he wanted to spread his wings a bit and seek a greater sense of independence. “Coming to Duke is a total switch-up for me,” he shares. “I’m meeting people from so many different backgrounds; it’s been such a healthy experience.”
Smith chose Duke for the strong academics and the sports programs — like the track team where he throws the javelin. Currently undecided, he’s excited by what a liberal arts education brings. “I didn’t want to go the engineering route,” he explains, “and the majors offered at Trinity give me so many different choices.” Passionate about numbers, he’s enrolled in Economics 101, but he’s also taking a post-apocalyptic fiction course, simply because it sounded interesting.
“Not having to declare my major for a year and a half gives me the time and freedom to explore. I want to test myself to see how much I can learn in different fields and subjects.”
While everyone’s first year of college comes with a certain level of anxiety, Smith plans to use his nerves to his advantage. “The body can’t tell the difference between nervousness and excitement, it’s up to the brain to determine it,” he explains. “Yes, I’ll be nervous my first year at college, but I plan to turn my nervousness into excitement for coursework, meeting new people — the whole experience.”
Drew shows his Duke sprit with the Blue Devil.
Drew and friends, out exploring Durham and Duke's campus.
Drew's family joined him on campus for move-in day.
