We’re so proud of the more than 2,400 people who earned the privilege of walking across the stage at the university’s Spring Convocation ceremonies on June 17, 18 and 19 at the Winspear Centre, including close to 200 from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications.

Here, graduating performers, artists, designers, journalists and communications professionals look back on their time at MacEwan – and toward their bright futures.

JAYSEL ANN ARROYO 
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Music Theatre Performance

I always knew that the arts were my passion. From a young age, I danced with my elementary school friends and learned songs for fun. When my sister showed me a recording of Legally Blonde, I was immediately impressed by the actors’ stamina as they sang, acted and danced around the stage. I was hooked. 

MacEwan was the only place I knew of with a musical theatre program, and when my sister brought me to campus for one of her drama classes, I fell in love with the facilities and the idea of continuously training to become a better actor – and person. It was so exciting looking in at the dance and practice studios from the outside. I was very blessed to have been given the opportunity to train here.

Taking my last bow in the production of Glory was probably one of my most fulfilling moments. Throughout my years studying at MacEwan, I yearned to showcase my talents and get recognition. With the lights shining on me and my co-stars, friends and family cheering for me, the moment I took that bow confirmed my love and passion for the stage.

I hope to become an educator in the future and help make the arts more accessible to younger generations.

SARAH HELEN LILY BARTHEL
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Arts and Cultural Management

I received my diploma in Arts and Cultural Management in 2019 after two years of full-time study. At the same time, I was fortunate to begin working in the field and had some incredible real-world experience. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) wasn’t available at the time of my graduation, so I continued working in the industry and exploring my passion for arts management. When the BFA began accepting applications, I jumped at the chance to start taking courses and felt so comfortable coming back to the learning environment at MacEwan.

While I was working on my BFA, I was also the executive director of Rapid Fire Theatre. I received an individual project grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, which allowed me to pursue the remaining credits towards my degree while I continued working full-time in the industry. It was a challenge, but it allowed me to push my capacity and expectations of myself in a way I never thought I could.

I would love to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Heather Fitzsimmons Frey for her guidance and support during my degree. It was a joy being her student, and I’m thankful for our meaningful conversations about the arts and culture industry and leadership as a whole. I also want to express my immense gratitude to my husband, Mitchell, and our daughter Penelope for being my biggest cheerleaders. Without them, this accomplishment would not have been possible.

SAWYER BEGG
Bachelor of Music, Recording and Production

I came to MacEwan’s music program to take the recording and production major and initially had little interest in live performance or advanced music theory. Now, at the end of my degree, I’ve found my interest to have flipped 180 degrees. 

I originally chose piano only because I was required to have a principal instrument, but now I love it and perform professionally. Further, the program’s emphasis on jazz completely changed my approach to songwriting, composition and performance for the better. I still produce my own work and I loved my time in the MacEwan studios, but my university experience opened my eyes to paths I hadn’t considered before. 

I look to a lot of recent grads and years above me as inspiration. Namely, alumnus Biboye Onanuga, who does a lot for the Edmonton community with and through music. Like many of my professors who have successful careers in the industry, he is further proof that music can be a sustainable full-time career if you dedicate yourself to it. Steve Cameron is also awesome; he graduated a year before me and was a kind of musical big brother and mentor to me when I was beginning to perform live and book shows. 

My plan now is to travel and figure out what’s next for me. I’ve always had a fall semester to anticipate, and it feels weird not to. Like these musicians I look up to, my goal is to eventually make a living entirely from music as a performing and recording artist through whatever income streams that may allow. Eventually, I’d consider pursuing a master's, or even returning to academia as a sessional instructor further down the line, but I want to go out and have a career as a foundation.

LEANNA BRESSAN 
Bachelor of Communication Studies, Journalism

A lot of people go into university already knowing what they are going to do and what they will be, but that wasn’t me. By the end of my first year, I was burnt out, tired and had no sense of direction. I hated what I was learning, and my GPA dropped. I was working in MacEwan’s Residence when a friend and fellow resident assistant started telling me about the journalism program. 

I got excited and had this feeling of wonder that there was something for me. I couldn't transfer until I got my GPA up, so that’s what I did. The day I found out I got into the journalism program was one of the happiest, most hopeful days of my life.

One of my professors suggested I submit a version of an article I had written in class to The Griff. Finding out the article would be published and seeing it in print encouraged me to continue submitting articles and joining other projects. I worked for The Griff, writing over a dozen articles. I had pieces in two volumes of The Bolo Tie Collective anthologies, became an award-winning journalist and podcaster, organized a networking event for my program, and had my film showcased in MacEwan’s first film festival. I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my mom, older brother, partner and the friends I made along the way.

Two weeks after classes ended, I started a position at Westlock News – Town and Country as a reporter, and I have been loving it.

QUINLYN HAWKSWELL
Graphic Design Diploma
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence

I was an elementary teacher for five years and was extremely unhappy. I decided to take a chance on myself, leaving a stable job and pursuing something I wanted to do.

I have always been passionate about art, and my mom is a graphic artist (who also graduated from MacEwan!) When I talked to friends who were successful in the Edmonton design community, I discovered that they had all gone to MacEwan too. 

I applied and was accepted to the design program, but the week before my first semester, I broke my wrist. Of course, it had to be the hand I write and draw with. It made the first few months of my program challenging, but, on the bright side, my ARTE 100 instructor definitely saw a huge improvement in my drawing when the cast came off. 

I’ll never forget the moment when my professor, Jenn Danko, told me I had an intelligent and unique point of view. She helped make me a more confident designer. And my family and partner made a huge difference. Changing professions and the trajectory of my life wouldn’t have been possible without their support. 

I hope to use the skills I gained at MacEwan to create meaningful designs that educate and make a difference in the world. I’ve already been hired as the in-house designer for the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, and I am so grateful for the opportunity!

SOPHIA DOROTHY KONRAD 
Bachelor of Communication Studies, Professional Communication

I came to MacEwan as an Open Studies student in 2019. I wasn’t sure which career path I wanted to take, so I enrolled in two classes to test out some programs. After my first few classes, I knew that MacEwan was the right fit for me, and I enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication Studies program.

I have always loved writing and storytelling. When I was a kid, I was sure I wanted to become a writer. But as I got older, like many people with creative passions, I became less certain that I could turn my love of writing into a successful career. 

Communications offered a practical way to use my creativity. I love how it involves so many different creative skills: writing, design, photography, videography and editing. Using analytics and data to see which strategies work – and why – also satisfies the analytical and strategic parts of my brain. And because the field is always changing and evolving, I know I’ll never be bored. 

But most of all, I’m passionate about communications because it can change lives. I’m entering my second summer working with Alberta Wildfire, and I’ve seen firsthand how important accurate, timely information is in emergency situations. I hope to continue using my skills to make a difference.

My family helped keep me sane throughout my time in university. Whenever I was stressed about an assignment or exam, they reassured me that I would make it through. I’ve also grown closer to my dad now that we work in the same field. I’m so lucky to have his guidance and support as I start my career.

BROOKE HOPE MAYER
Bachelor of Communication Studies, Journalism

I was originally studying psychology, but my goal was always journalism – I just needed to get my English grades up. One day after I made the switch, I was walking by Rogers Place, and I looked up at the building. In that moment, I realized that I wanted to be a sports reporter. Studying journalism at MacEwan was how I was going to get there. 

There are many moments that define my time at MacEwan – each time I overcame adversity, had to edit a video or podcast, did a live hit or presented something, my confidence level increased bit by bit.

There are many professors who played a part in reaching my goal, inspiring me in different ways and pushing me to be my best. But there was one class I took with Jaelyn Birch that really tested me. For our final assignment, we had to make an audition video for a reality TV show. I was super nervous, but a bit excited too. I mean, how fun would that be? I decided to take a funny approach because it would make me feel better. I made people laugh, so it worked!

Ideally, down the road, I still want to become a sports reporter. Specifically, an NFL sideline reporter. I believe I will get there one day. In the meantime, I’m wrapping up an internship with the Oilers Entertainment Group, which has been an incredible experience.

ELENA MERCURI 
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Arts

My high school art teacher was just such a cool lady. I enjoyed her classes and remember her showing me artists who were working in similar themes to mine. It made me feel like art education was actually a viable thing to do. Then, after I was accepted into MacEwan’s fine art program, Rose Clancy helped me choose my classes and was genuinely interested in my art practice. I ended up at MacEwan because two great people in the art world supported me in getting here.

As I made my way through university, I felt so inspired by the accomplished and educated people I was learning from that I began to feel passionate about artistic research. I had two opportunities to work as a research assistant throughout my undergrad, first with Kerri-Lynn Reeves and again with Dr. Erandy Vergara-Vargas. I also worked as one of five assistant painters to Emily Chu on her "Craft Tats” mural in downtown Edmonton. And I had the incredible opportunity to create the MacEwan alumni gift in 2023 and have my work given to every graduate. It is one of my favourite pieces I've ever done. 

I met two of my best friends in my first year, we all do different things but we continue to stay in touch and talk about the funny things that happened during our time studying together.

The summer before my final year, I travelled to New York City with my partner and visited the MET Museum for the first time. My fiancé is super supportive of my art practice, and I used to force him to help me with some of my messy projects. I joke that my work is equally his as it is mine. 

My time in art school has inspired me to pursue my education further, and I was fortunate to land a job working with Métis artists. Post-grad, I'll be working – and learning – with an incredible organization. It’s the best outcome I could have wished for.

UCHECHUKWU OSINEME 
Bachelor of Communication Studies, Professional Communication

From reconnecting with an old friend from middle school back home in Nigeria and making new friendships that I know will last a lifetime, to learning more about myself, my strength and my capacity, my time at MacEwan has been a rollercoaster. 

I discovered my love for research here and put together an independent research piece that I presented during Student Research Day. “Beyond the Screen” analyzed three case studies in pop culture with an allusion to film and historical storytelling. My hope was to expand the world of storytelling by proposing new story models.

Dr. David Garfinkle was my faculty advisor for that project and I was amazed that he agreed to spend even more time grading my work after having me in his classes for six back-to-back terms. I am honoured and grateful that he agreed to do so. His encouragement pushed my research beyond what I thought possible.

Over these past four years, my mom was my biggest support – I don’t know where I’d be without her. She’s taught me to be strong but also not to be afraid of having weaknesses. I don’t feel like I can say that I made a difference at MacEwan, but I can say that I put my best foot forward and was as true to myself as I could possibly be. That was because she gave me the strength to do so. 

I hadn’t imagined that I would be as passionate about communications as I am, but the program pushed me in ways I never imagined. Now, I hope to put what I learned to good use and pursue a career in strategic marketing, communications or public relations. Maybe down the line I will find myself in academia again, tackling a master's and eventually a doctorate, but for now I plan on taking each day as it comes.

NATALIE EMMA POTTS
Studio Arts Diploma

I've always loved making art, but I never knew how to make a career out of it. After starting three different programs at two different schools, I finally decided I just wanted to do what I loved and applied for the studio arts diploma. At some point along the way, someone told me I should teach. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to get my degree and eventually become a high school art teacher.

Kerri-Lynn Reeves has always been incredibly supportive and really encouraged me to expand my practice and start making more textile art. It was in her creative research class that I first experimented with fibre art, specifically punch needle work, which eventually led to my interest in rug tufting. And now have a small business selling custom rugs. I couldn't be more grateful.

I have to thank my parents for being so unbelievably supportive of me for nearly a decade of higher education. I truly couldn't have gotten this far without them. Not only did they make sure I never ended up on the street, they also helped me through two breakups, three programs, five moves and countless tears. I honestly can't thank them enough.

First things first, I'm taking a break! After nine years of university and one two-year diploma under my belt, it's time to take a decent chunk out of my student loans before I start racking them up again. After my break, the plan is to finish my Bachelor of Fine Arts, get my teaching certification and finally start teaching high school art.

ASHE STOLTE 
Bachelor of Music, Recording and Production
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence

I dreamed of being a music producer since I was in elementary school and have been making music on my computer since sixth grade. It was always my goal to end up in the Bachelor of Music program at MacEwan – I didn’t even apply to any other universities. My plan if I didn’t get in was to just practice like hell and try again in a year.

It was a pleasure and privilege to take multiple classes from Padraig Buttner-Schnirer throughout the last three years of my degree. In my third year, I had the chance to work with him as an assistant recording engineer on Brianna Lizotte’s album Winston and I (Juno nominated, btw!). It was such an incredible experience. That same year, a live sound course with Mike Brazeau really opened my eyes to live sound reinforcement and the opportunities in that world. It was Mike who referred me to the job I’m working now as a full-time production equipment manager with a local production company that does lighting, sound, staging and video for tons of events in Edmonton and across Western Canada.

But the most memorable day of my university career had to be the concert for my capstone project in music recording and production. I decided it was a good and reasonable idea to organize, host and mix a live concert with four of my peers’ bands, and then record their performances and turn them into albums. On December 1, the day of the concert, I was surrounded by all of the friends I’d made and family who helped support me through school. (I need to give a special shout-out to my mom, who has always been my biggest support, inspiration, source of comfort and advice. I wouldn’t have made it through this degree without her.) It really felt like a final culmination of my studies.