Finding Her Place in the City—and in Science

When Eden Hudson ’29 arrived at Emmanuel College from Fort Washington, Maryland, she brought with her a clear academic purpose—and a quiet determination to make a large city feel like home.

A Chemistry major with a concentration in Forensic Science, Hudson chose Emmanuel for its combination of academic focus and scale. “I didn’t want a big school,” she said. “I wanted a place where people knew me—and where I could really pursue forensics.” A campus visit confirmed what her research suggested: Emmanuel offered both rigor and community.

That sense of belonging mattered. Like many first-year students arriving far from home, Hudson experienced homesickness early on. What changed, she said, was involvement. She quickly immersed herself in campus life—becoming active in the 1804 Society, serving as a first-year representative for the Black Student Union, participating in admissions panels, and applying for a resident assistant position. “Being involved makes Emmanuel feel like home,” she said. “It made all the difference.”

Her academic interests are equally focused. Hudson hopes to become a forensic analyst, working both at crime scenes and within the court system. She has already set her sights on future internships—including the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory—and plans to pursue undergraduate research opportunities as early as this summer.

None of this, Hudson is quick to note, would have been possible without the support of the Rogers Scholarship.

“The scholarship was the reason I was able to come to Emmanuel,” she said. “It was that final piece of financial aid that made everything work.” Beyond easing the financial burden, the scholarship has given her something less tangible but equally important: time. “It’s allowed me to focus on my classes and be involved on campus, instead of having to work full time.”

Now in her second semester, Hudson feels grounded—in her studies, in her community, and in her sense of direction. Emmanuel has exceeded her expectations. “It feels like a home within a big city,” she said. “You can go out and explore Boston—and then come back to a place where people are looking out for you.”

For Hudson, that combination of opportunity and care has made all the difference—and set the foundation for the work she hopes to do next.