“The mentorship, community, and friendships this university has given me are more than I ever thought I would ask for.” »
- Better days: Football match days
- Favorite food on campus: Seminole Coffee
- Best resource on campus: Innovation Hub can help you create anything you want with a 3D printer
- Favorite study location: Museum of Fine Arts
Luke Meunier had a passion for art that led him to consider schools far from home. But he couldn’t help but experience college life in Florida, with the football games, Greek life and all the buzz of a big university.
So he took a leap of faith and decided that combining his love for art and his social involvement at Florida State University was a goal he needed to achieve.
“My time at Florida State University thus far has heightened that focus tenfold,” he said.
After attending a large high school, Meunier appreciated the sense of community. And that’s exactly what he found when he landed at FSU.
“The mentorship, community and friendships this university has given me are more than I ever thought I would ask for,” he said.
One of the main reasons he chose FSU was the art therapy master’s program.
Meunier’s interest in art therapy began in high school when he worked with the Best friends program and took a student to an art class. Seeing the transformative power of art therapy left an impression on Meunier.
“My future goals are to create a safe space where I can not only teach art, but also use it as a way to support others and promote well-being within my community,” he said. he declares.
Meunier says his academic journey at FSU has been marked by artistic collaboration and personal growth. He took the opportunity to participate in Honors in major program, which opened the doors to unique experiences.
Inspired by his lifelong passion for the United States Armed Forces, Meunier decided to address with his art the subject of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the military and its effects on individuals and communities.
This academic challenge pushed him both artistically and mentally as he sought to represent the voices of veterans. His dedication earned him a IDEA Scholarshipwhich allowed him to conduct more interviews with veterans and shed light on their experiences.
“Conducting interviews with veterans in my community gave me the opportunity to further explore this area of interest and provide an expressive voice to a community for which I have had great respect and interest for so a long time,” he said.
Meunier’s involvement at FSU doesn’t stop with academics.
As a recipient of the Bright Futures Scholarship, Meunier says he realizes the importance of excelling as a leader and student.
Her commitment to service extends to various student organizations, including the FSU Skeet and Trap Club, where he says he learned the value of teamwork. He is also an executive member of the team, managing and planning travel for tournaments across the country. He and his pledge class played a central role in reviving the Delta Lambda chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
He says his involvement in Student Foundation And Garnet and Gold Keyhonorary leadership, deepened his love for service and connecting students with alumni to strengthen the FSU community.
One of Meunier’s most important roles on campus was as student senator for the College of Fine Arts in the Student Government Association.
“Being able to represent my community to the rest of campus was an experience I won’t forget, and it gave me so many opportunities for the future,” he said.
He also hopes to collaborate with the Student Veterans Union to create a supportive space for veterans at FSU.
Meunier’s commitment to service is not limited to campus. With his fraternity, he participates in activities like Line Dance, raising funds for organizations such as the Undefeated Scholars Program and the Collegiate Veterans Association. He also volunteers at Great Tallahassee Event to help local public schools.
“Helping the community that has given me so much has been a wonderful opportunity,” he said.
Meunier’s future plans include pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy to further support veterans with PTSD and continuing his mission of using art to heal and inspire change.
He said he hopes his story is a testament to the transformative potential of higher education when paired with a commitment to making a difference.
“I feel great gratitude for everything I have experienced so far,” Meunier said. “I feel compelled to work tirelessly to improve and support this place that has proven to be the best decision I could have ever made.”
How has your participation in the Honors Major program helped you?
Getting involved in the Honors Major program was one of the best experiences of my college career. Having the opportunity to work with extremely talented faculty at the College of Fine Arts pushed me to narrow my artistic focus and inspire greater intentionality in my work. It also allowed me to receive an IDEA grant to better fund my research and create the best work possible.
You have developed an interest in the armed forces. Where does this interest come from and how is it reflected in your art?
I come from a military family. My father served 20 years in the Air Force and that captured my interest from a young age. Growing up, I would scribble new models of tanks and fighter jets on my homework. As my artistic pursuits matured, I found myself increasingly drawn to militaristic aesthetics. In college, I discovered toy photography, and with a collection of GI Joes and action figures, I began creating my own battle scenes and epic fight images. This motif gradually developed into the complex scenes I love to create today, highlighting topics such as PTSD and the mental health crisis of veterans.
Why did you decide to get involved in Student Government? What positions have you held?
I decided to get involved in student government to give back to a place that has given me so many opportunities and experiences. As a student at the Faculty of Fine Arts, I wanted to be the voice of my peers in the arts. The Delta Lambda chapter of Beta Theta Pi also provided great motivation to become more involved in student government. I liked being a blazer with FSU forward and further represent my college as a student senator. I am current president of the student life committee after having been vice-president. These experiences have been beyond valuable to my academic career, and I highly recommend similar involvement to anyone looking to grow their relationship with the FSU community.
How do you hope your academic journey will inspire other students?
I hope to show that no matter your major, no matter where you are in your college career, you can make a difference on campus and in the lives of the students you serve.
Any advice for incoming students?
Find what you love and do everything you can to achieve that dream.
