What is your preferred name and your major and minor?
Abby Keen. Exercise Chemistry dual major with minors in Biology and Spanish.
What are some of the jobs you held while at McDaniel?
Student Ambassador in Admissions on campus and as a Medical Assistant at Your Doc’s Urgent Care on the Eastern Shore.
What organizations were you a part of at McDaniel? What positions did you hold?
Captain on the Women’s Soccer team, Honors Program, Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma Sigma Epsilon, Beta Beta Beta, Phi Sigma Iota, President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Vice Chair of the Centennial Conference SAAC, Secretary of the Kinesiology Club, Treasurer of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a Project Leader with Operation Christmas Child.
Did you enjoy your time at McDaniel? How?
I greatly enjoyed my time at McDaniel and I am going to miss it here so much! Soccer has played a huge role in my happiness and I am forever grateful that I was able to play the sport I love for the past four years. To share that love with my teammates, and to have amazing coaches has been such a blessing. I have made lifelong friends and I have learned so much about myself and life through this sport. I was also able to branch out and become involved in so many other things that helped me to make great friends outside of the team. Being able to be a part f groups besides soccer has also aided in my happiness and success throughout college!
Who do you think is/was your best mentor(s)?
Dr. Mackenzie and Dr. Dana Ferraris been incredible mentors to me throughout my time at McDaniel. They have been there every step of the way by giving me great advice and recommendations, helping me with applications, and preparing me for interviews. They have both been awesome resources and are just genuinely caring people who are constantly checking up on me. I am so thankful for the two of them and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for me!
What is your best memory at McDaniel?
My junior season was pretty memorable, from winning a regular season championship and beating Johns Hopkins for the first time in 20 years, to making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. My best memories are definitely with my teammates; team nights, traveling to the NCAAs, and playing tons of soccer have definitely been my favorite memories.
What were some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
Some challenges I have faced include difficult classes with tough professors, as well as adjusting to being a college athlete in terms of a heavy workload on top of a packed sports schedule. Mastering time management, persevering, and constantly working hard have taken me a long way!
What are your plans for after graduation?
Following graduation, I plan to attend a Master’s program of Physician Assistant Studies in order to one day be a practicing Physician’s Assistant.
What advice can you give to those not graduating?
Try new things, be nice to everyone, make connections, and don’t sell yourself short!
