Crohn's Can't Keep Her Down
- man1015
- Apr 30, 2022
- 3 min read
She has never met a challenge she couldn’t take. Since her days in little league basketball, Lauren Moran has been nothing but resilient. This resiliency has led her to a doctorate degree, a great career, and a happy life. None of this was without struggle though. At the age of 19, while attending Edinboro University, Moran was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Despite her diagnosis, Moran made the most of her time in undergrad. While completing her degree in Communication, she was very involved in co-curricular activities. Moran was part of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and was the Student Government Association President. After graduation, she worked for the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Baldwin Wallace University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Duquesne University, then started at Slippery Rock University in 2016. While advancing her career, she simultaneously graduated with her master's degree from Bowling Green State University in 2007, and her Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019.
While Moran’s accomplishments are impressive for anyone, her battle with Crohn’s Disease throughout these events gives them even more reason for celebration. Numerous surgeries and her daily battle with the disease made it hard at times. Her father has always been her biggest role model and his words of encouragement motivate her daily. Her dad always tells her; “Yes you can, you’re Lauren Moran!” Crohn’s disease is incurable, but there are treatments available, and it does have times of remission where the symptoms aren’t as severe. During these times, Moran has found comfort and happiness in exercise. While she has been an athlete her whole life, running has never been her favorite.
But after her most recent surgery at age 33, she decided to try out marathons and triathlons. She has now completed three half-marathons and four triathlons in total. This includes the Edinboro Olympic Triathlon, the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, and the Might Moraine Sprint Triathlon. When she was young, Moran played basketball and soccer, always making sure that she had her lucky socks. At games, she was known as ‘the girl with the pink socks.’ Her lucky socks may be in retirement now, but Moran continues to wear pink to remind her to keep going.
Photo 1: Moran competing in the 2015 North Park Triathlon. (Photo via Moran)
Photo 2: Moran (right), her best friend Emily (middle), and Emily's friend (left) after the Brooklyn Holiday Half Marathon. (Photo via Moran)
Moran is very close with her family. Her sister Erin is her best friend. The two of them have always been close and Erin has always looked up to her, “She amazes me every day,” she says. Erin recalls fond memories of the two of them being together and Moran babysitting her when they were younger. Lainey, Erin's two-year-old daughter has also become very close with Moran. She says that visiting Lainey is always the highlight of her day. Moran hasn’t always been super close with her mom, but she says now that she’s older, they have connected more and have a great bond. Moran admires her mom and credits her with giving her the values she has today.
Today, Moran serves as the Director of Student Engagement & Leadership at Slippery Rock University. In this position, she oversees a variety of student organizations and helps students connect with leadership opportunities. She has always had a passion for developing professional relationships and for higher education management. One day, she hopes to become the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Erin Kelly, Moran's sister, talks about their childhood, Lauren as an aunt, and looking up to Lauren.
"The girl with the pink socks!" Moran talks about playing sports as a child.
Moran talks about her battle with Crohn's Disease.
Moran talks about getting into running and competing in triathlons.
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