Countdown to Commencement 2026: Lily Gottstine

This week’s featured student in the “Countdown to Commencement” series is Lily Gottstine, a biology major nominated by Jonathan Schott, director of campus ministry programs.

Gottstine knew Fisher felt like a second home the moment she stepped onto campus, drawn in by its warm and welcoming community. Fisher offered the perfect blend of her two passions: biology and music, and she quickly immersed herself in both.

She is the president of Drastic Measures, a member of the all‑campus choir, and a student leader in Campus Ministry.

“Being a part of a group that also shares the same faith or different faiths that I can explore was very impactful. I was not only able to strengthen my faith, but understand others,” Gottstine said.

Some of her most meaningful experiences have come from her academic involvement. She works in the Chemistry Department as a student assistant and in the Biology Department as a learning assistant, where she tutors students in both one‑on‑one and group settings. These roles have allowed her to support her peers while deepening her own understanding of the sciences.

One of Gottstine’s biggest takeaways from her time at Fisher is the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. She believes the Fisher community grows together in sharing challenges, successes, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Schott highlighted Gottstine’s open‑mindedness as one of her greatest strengths. “She really exemplifies that value of the Fisher Creed. She asks great questions, she is open to feedback, she always seeks to encounter her peers at face value and integrate their values into conversations and interactions,” he said.

He added that her continued growth in her faith, something she has carried with her since childhood, along with her willingness to learn from new perspectives, has shaped her into a kind, generous, and committed leader on campus.