Music is the soundtrack to Liem Watkins’ pharmacy and statistics studies at Ohio Northern University. When not in class or studying, he’s practicing his trombone, rehearsing with the band or orchestra, or arranging music for fun.
“Music will always be an open door and outlet,” he says. “It’s a big part of me, more than anything else.”
This fall, his talent takes center stage as field commander for the ONU Marching Band. On game days, Liem conducts the band on the field. But he views the real work as what happens off the field, leading by example. He accepted the position of field commander to help the band, a program he values, succeed.
“The biggest thing I’ve found is that being a leader is about showing up, doing what you’re supposed to do, and working to get better,” he says.
That disciplined approach comes naturally. Growing up in a musical household, with a music teacher dad and music-loving mom, sound was constant. “Music was never pushed on me, it was just part of my environment,” he says.
He started playing the trombone in middle school and learned several other instruments as well. Playing in ensembles enabled him to belong to something bigger than himself and share the joy of music with others.
For Liem, that same desire for connection is what drew him to major in both pharmacy and statistics. After graduation, his goal is to own and operate a pharmacy in a rural or suburban area where patients are familiar faces rather than strangers. “It’s a way to serve others and engage in outreach,” he says.
ONU offers him the space to pursue both rigorous healthcare training and musical expression without having to choose between the two. In fact, he’s even expanded his creative expression. Last year, he created a full band arrangement of American rapper Tyler, the Creator’s “Ring, Ring, Ring” and conducted the ensemble at Band-O-Rama.
No matter how demanding his schedule gets, music remains his reset button.
“It’s such a great outlet,” he says, “and I just enjoy every minute of making music.”
