What is your major and minor? What other academic programs were you a part of?
Biology major.
What are some of the jobs you held while at McDaniel?
Biology tutor.
What organizations were you a part of at McDaniel? What positions did you hold?
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society (Vice President), Delta of Maryland Chapter Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta honor Society, Army ROTC (Battalion Commander), NCAA DIII Men’s Soccer, and Army ROTC Running Team.
Did you enjoy your time at McDaniel? How?
Yes. Attending McDaniel was the best the decision I have ever made. McDaniel has presented me with opportunities I would have never imagined, ultimately propelling me into the next chapter of my life. Whether it was participating in intramural sports, playing golf with my friends, or being a part of the Army ROTC program, I made the most out of my time. McDaniel will forever be the institution that shaped me into the individual I am today.
Who do you think was/is your best mentor?
Dr. Cheng Huang. He is one of the primary reasons for the success I have experienced and without his guidance, compassion, and the high standard he kept me to, I would not have become the same student. He is the embodiment of what it means to be a part of the Green Terror family, and I will forever be in debt to him for all his above and beyond help.
What is your best memory at McDaniel?
Taking Comparative Anatomy with Dr. Katie Staab. This class not only consisted of dissecting several organisms (Squalus, cat, sheep’s brains, pig’s heart, and lamprey), but allowed me to get a broad, big picture view towards the similarities between humans and other animals. If there was a class I wish I could retake (minus the exams), it would definitely be this class.What made this class the best class ever was the fact that I was practicing my future surgeon skills and preparing myself for the intensity of medical school. Dr. Staab taught this class exactly like a medical school class and really sparked a keen sense of interest in not only the human body but the make up of other organisms.
What are some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
Finding a balance between academics, my personal life, and Army ROTC. This was by far no easy task, especially as a student on the pre-med track. However, I overcame the adversity that came. Whether that be all-nighters or making sacrifices to excel academically or making time for others, I always kept the big picture in mind. My goal when I stepped onto campus was to attend medical school at the end of my four years of undergraduate. I have reached this goal through an optimistic, resilient, and ambitious mindset. No challenge or failure can deter me from achieving what I put my mind to.
What are your plans for after graduation?
Medical School at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine.
What would you tell yourself as a first-year at McDaniel?
There are two pieces of advice that I would tell myself as a first-year at McDaniel. The first is, possess two indispensable qualities that our society tends to strive away from. These two qualities are embracing the possibility of finding a solution to every problem and charging yourself with an endlessly curious mind. These two qualities would go on to help me see our world through a “can-do” lens and the idea that anything is possible. It would let me inspire others and instill that belief that anyone can achieve greatness against all odds. The second is, take every opportunity that comes my way because you never know what an opportunity might lead to or what door may open next. Every career choice I have made has been based off the opportunities McDaniel or Army ROTC has offered me. By saying yes to opportunities, I have grown, developed, and gotten out of my comfort zone to experience things my peers may have never had the chance too. The world is full of endless possibilities and I should never let someone tell me something is impossible.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the McDaniel community?
When I graduate I will be stepping away from McDaniel as a student who has taken advantage of every opportunity that has come his way. Most importantly, I have evolved into an individual who is prepared to be a part of something bigger than himself. McDaniel has equipped me with a well-versed bag of tools that will allow me to positively impact people not only in our own country but around the world. The wide-eyed freshman who rang the Old Main Bell freshman year is now ready to ring the bell on Commencement Day, turning the page to a new chapter in my life full of helping others around the world and becoming the best version of myself.
