Shining a Light: Senior Spotlight on Isaac Orozco

TLU senior Isaac Orozco couldn't have known that tearing his ACL during a basketball game his junior year would lead to one of the most important lessons of his college career. "Up to that point, I had been fortunate enough to avoid any serious injuries, so the recovery process was completely new to me," he recalls.

That injury forced him to slow down and give his body time to heal-but rather than being defeated by the experience, Orozco realized that it created a space in which to grow. "Suddenly, I had to relearn patience, discipline, and how to trust the rehabilitation process day by day," he says. "Throughout my recovery, the athletic training staff played a tremendous role in keeping me on track, and my teammates made sure I still felt like an important part of the team even when I couldn't contribute with my play on the court."

In the end, that experience reshaped Orozco's perspective. "It reminded me how much I loved the game and taught me that setbacks, no matter the severity, could deepen my appreciation for things I'm passionate about."

In May, he'll be graduating with a BS in Integrated Science, with minors in both Business and Psychology, and after that, he's off to medical school at the UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine. "My interests going into medical school include anesthesia, radiology, and orthopedics, but I am eager to experience all the different fields once I am actually a student at the school."

Whichever branch of medicine he ends up settling into, one thing is certain: Orozco will be shining a light in the world. "In the next chapter of my life, I hope to contribute positivity to the world in whatever ways I can," he says. "I want people to see me as someone who brings encouragement and optimism to those around me. Whether that's through providing the best care possible and positive outcomes for my future patients as a doctor, or by simply being there to uplift someone when they need support or a friend, I hope to make a meaningful difference. More than anything, I want people to know me as someone who sees the glass as half full and helps others see life that way too."