Meet the Fall Class of 2019
While the number of graduates at our Fall Convocation on November 20 may be smaller than ceremonies in the spring, their accomplishments certainly aren’t. Our newest grads have their sights set on everything from outer space and opera, to statistics and stopping the spread of infectious diseases. We can’t wait to see what they do next.
Here, members of the Fall Class of 2019 take us through some of the moments, memories and milestones that stand out most.

It only made sense to pursue a degree that provides me with the tools to study not just one of my passions, but a combination of both – geology and the solar system. Now, I’m applying to complete a Master of Science in Earth science where I hope to match lunar meteorites to their original craters on the moon’s surface, and completing a manuscript on the shock metamorphism and crystallization age of lunar meteorite NWA 032 with Dr. Erin Walton.

Juggling all of my responsibilities on and off campus was my biggest challenge. I was working 45 hours a week at my "part-time" job, enrolled in five courses, served as the president of the UN Club and the vice-president of events of the Jack.org chapter, volunteered with multiple charities, and was still trying to have some sort of social life. Looking back, I'm in awe. Looking forward, I know that I am prepared to handle anything. My time at MacEwan built a version of me that is a five-star multitasker, an administrator of change, a disciple of challenge, and a devotee to the MacEwan alumni community.

It wasn’t long after I started at MacEwan that I got the proof I needed that I was where I should be. I had an extra space for a class and ended up in Stats 252. I’ve always been fascinated with how the world works, and statistics explains a lot. It turned out I was pretty good at it too. Now I’m working on my master’s degree at the University of Calgary studying spatial temporal processes and looking at the statistics of how things move in time and space. Basically, I’m trying to learn how to use data to help predict what could happen in the future.

Having a close-knit group of teammates who continually supported and challenged me to do my best was essential to my success. They pushed me to work harder and helped me through any adversity I encountered. I think it’s prepared me well for my next challenge – I’m planning to pursue an occupational therapy degree next fall.

The defining moment of my time at MacEwan was when I was given the opportunity to complete my end-of-program field placement with Scottish Opera, the national opera company of Scotland. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the opera industry, but never imagined that I would be invited overseas, to a world-class opera company, to begin that career journey. When the opportunity was offered to me, I realized the incredible amount of faith that my faculty had in me. It was a dream come true, and an experience that has defined me as an arts manager.

It’s easy to get caught up in the rigamarole of study, but it’s so important to never lose sight of your “why.” That goal – to one day save lives and make a difference – kept me going. Grabbing onto my passion, especially when things were challenging, is what fuelled me. Every year I studied at MacEwan, my love for the field grew, and that was, in part, due to the passion and excitement I observed in my professors.
After getting some work experience, my next step will be to pursue a master’s degree in epidemiology and public health, and then on to save the world!
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