Mabel Adesopo

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

I come from Nigeria, a country rich in natural resources and blessed with the talent, resilience and potential of its people, but with years of weak governance and limited ability to leverage international relationships that have hindered its development. Witnessing these realities from a young age inspired me to make a difference and develop a passion for serving my community, as well as a curiosity about the systems that shape nations and influence development.

But transitioning to a new country, culture and educational system was far from easy, and despite my big dreams, my first years were difficult.

By my third year, I saw significant improvements in my performance, including achieving First Class Standing even while also balancing volunteer commitments and employment.

The next fall, I faced one of the most challenging periods of my life, which included severe burnout, extreme fatigue and the development of an inflammatory condition that affected my right hand. As someone who loves taking notes and actively engaging in class, it was painful, both physically and emotionally, to stop writing and simply listen.

I struggled, but rather than giving up, I chose to trust the process and remain focused on my goals.

That semester, I earned a place on the Dean's List.

I am deeply grateful to the professors, mentors, friends and supporters who made this journey worthwhile, believed in me, encouraged me and stood beside me when I needed support the most. As this chapter comes to an end, I leave with a profound sense of gratitude, pride and hope for the future.

The journey is over, but the impact of this experience will remain with me forever.

Oladayo Eunice Ayodeji

Bachelor of Science, Honours Psychology
President’s Medal for Academic Excellence and Student Leadership

When I visited MacEwan University before receiving my offer of admission, a kind lady assisted me with directions. When I inquired about her academic level, she proudly informed me that she had recently graduated. Upon commencing my studies, I understood that it was only a matter of time before I would experience such pride as well.

I have always been fascinated by the brain and its crucial role in our lives. In Dr. Chris Striemer’s human neuropsychology class, my interest grew even stronger when I earned a 100 per cent on the term paper and received a “best paper in the class” comment. This achievement convinced me that I could undertake an honours thesis on a neurological condition resulting from right-brain damage.

I took on many roles while working and studying full-time. It was not always smooth sailing, but my mom was a great source of support – always lifting me up with her kind words and prayers.

One of the most memorable moments for me was during the MacEwan Language Club’s Cultural Language Showcase Night. During the karaoke session, we took turns singing. It was such a wonderful experience hearing everyone’s laughter and cheers for each performer. I even caught myself humming one of the songs days later, feeling truly touched by the joy and camaraderie we shared.

This summer, I will attend a program at York University and, after that, I plan to take a brief break to prepare for my future studies in the health sector.

Marcus Frederick W. Euverman

Bachelor of Science, Applied Statistics

I’ve always loved sports and sports analytics, but I would never have gone to school without John Fedoruk, assistant professor in Mathematics and Statistics. He changed my life. We played hockey together in a beer league and what began as a conversation about his tattoo opened my eyes to the possibility of a statistics degree.

On campus, I spent a lot of time in the stats department (shoutout to JoAnn Ferron for always letting me in!), where I would bug all the incredible instructors and professors who helped me these last four years, and who share my love and passion for sports – I could talk about sports with them all day!

I ended my university days with incredible and thoughtful conversations in Dr. Gaelan Murphy’s political science class. I appreciate those conversations more than he'll probably ever know.

I came to MacEwan as a 25-year-old with a journeyman ticket in the electrical trade. I never expected to go to post-secondary – I never considered myself smart enough. I leave as a 29- year-old knowing way more about myself and believing that “smarts” is a bit of an illusion with lots of randomness to it. So many people are incredibly smart in their own way.

Haley Irwin

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
Governor General Award – Silver 

When I first came to MacEwan, I planned to pursue sports psychology. But when I started taking biology courses for my minor, I discovered a passion for the laboratory. I came to appreciate even more how many opportunities MacEwan has for students to get involved as undergraduates: I had the honour of working with several incredible mentors in the Department of Biological Sciences and having classes with the same people built a sense of community.

I majored in biological sciences and started pursuing research opportunities thanks to a love for hands-on benchwork and connecting data to answer important questions. I hope to build a career in the laboratory, likely in pharmaceutical discovery or clinical diagnostics, to contribute to improving treatment and care for patients.

Since finishing school, I have been working as a scientist at a biotechnology company here in Edmonton focused on discovering peptides with therapeutic potential and am looking into graduate programs to deepen my education. I’m not quite sure where I’ll end up, but I know that I’ll be in the lab.

Receiving the Governor General’s Silver medal is an honour that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family. As one of the first people in my family to attend university, I am incredibly proud to share this achievement with them.

Jordan Laframboise

Bachelor of Arts, Honours Anthropology

Growing up in Edmonton, I know of many people – including my mom – who went to MacEwan and loved it. I loved the idea of smaller class sizes and a more student-focused environment.

I was elated to become a Peer Health Education Team (PHET) student assistant after volunteering the year before. It was an amazing opportunity to amplify student voices and connect with the campus community through health promotion. Sydney Bennell, my supervisor, is an amazing mentor who always encouraged me to put myself and my health first, while still helping me grow professionally.

I studied anthropology because I’ve always been interested in language, culture and social issues. Through anthropology, I also discovered my passion for community health, as I loved learning about social determinants of health and health equity. My minor in political science complemented this really well, allowing me to explore how policy can serve as a barrier or support to health and well-being.

Completing and presenting my honours thesis, “Birth, Policy, and Power: Indigenous Experiences of Obstetric Violence, Colonial Policies, and Reproductive Justice in Canada,” taught me a great deal about connecting theory to real-world issues and the kind of change I want to be part of.

In May 2026, I began a research internship at the University of Alberta supporting engineers in understanding the public perceptions of modular construction. I’m really excited to continue applying everything I’ve learned in anthropology to other fields of research, and I hope to eventually pursue a master’s degree in public health or a related field.

Ernest Sungura-Bilebwa

Bachelor of Arts, Economics

I used to hate economics and swore I would never take extra economics classes until I enrolled in ECON 281. I always saw myself as someone who wasn’t smart enough, but Dr. Junaid Jahangir inspired me, encouraged his class to think freely for ourselves and continuously pushed me to be the best I could be.

He also encouraged me to start the Economics Club. I had one day to advertise across campus – and try to make economics interesting, which is hard but doable! The club grew from one to 90 members in a single semester!

I took piano through the Conservatory of Music, where my teacher pushed me to audition for the Conservatory Jazz Combo, even though I had little jazz experience. I also began to attend Friday jazz jam sessions and play piano in Allard Hall with the music majors.

And joining the MacEwan Black Students’ Alliance made me feel a lot more welcome, especially during my transition from student-athlete to just student.

I’ll be continuing my academic journey at the University of Alberta, studying for a master’s in health economics. I’m hoping to make a meaningful change and help improve the health sector in Alberta and Canada.

Meadow MacDonald

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

I grew up in Westlock, a small town just north of Edmonton. So, when it came time to choose a university, I was looking for a place that felt welcoming and community-oriented. I saw the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates at MacEwan. I didn’t want to be just another student in a huge lecture hall – I wanted an environment where I could ask questions, get involved and feel connected to those around me.

I’ve always loved science, especially molecular biology and genetics. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by how life works and how incredibly complex living systems can be. The more I learned, the more curious I became. Studying biology gave me the opportunity to explore those questions in greater depth and develop a deeper appreciation for the science behind everyday life.

By my fourth and fifth years, I took many classes with the same group of students, and those friendships made even the most challenging courses feel manageable – working through complex topics with classmates created a supportive learning environment and made the experience especially rewarding.

This fall, I'll be attending the University of Alberta to begin the Bachelor of Education after-degree program. My goal is to become a high-school science teacher. I've always enjoyed learning and sharing knowledge with others, and teaching feels like a natural way to combine my passion for science with the opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives.

Ethan Marcel Weisbeck

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

MacEwan always seemed like the best choice for post-secondary in Edmonton because it’s large enough that there is a variety of class offerings and small enough that professors know you on a personal level.

In my fourth year, I was fortunate enough to be involved with a work-integrated learning project with the Edmonton & Area Land Trust. I was able to see the practical application of all the skills I had been developing, including seeing the organization use material we developed as a class. If you are given the opportunity to be involved with one of those projects, I would highly recommend it!

I would like to thank Nooshin Walji, the leadership education specialist in Student Life, for working tirelessly to help run all the Golden Key MacEwan Chapter events and the leadership certificate program at MacEwan, which I found to be a very rewarding experience. She is one of the best people at MacEwan, and you should get involved with Student Life just to have the opportunity to meet her.

I have enjoyed debating and looking at issues from multiple perspectives – that is one of the things that has led me to attend law school this September, despite perhaps an unconventional background through a biology degree. I look forward to the next challenges that will come.