Jennifer Grace McMullan, BSc

There were times during the past four years that I seriously wondered if I would get to the point where I could walk away with a BSc. Despite the challenges of the last four years, being in Science taught me a lot about perseverance. By persevering through the long labs and challenging exams I managed to make it to my end goal. If I had quit while in the midst of a night of difficult studying, I would have completely missed out on the celebration of receiving my degree. Now at this point in the game I can’t help but wonder if four tough years is really worth a yellow hood and a framed piece of paper. In this case, I feel confident in saying yes. I did learn a lot about Science, and it was great to broaden my horizons in scientific knowledge. But, I think just as, or even more important were the lessons I learned about life and about myself. I feel like I did a lot of growing up during my undergrad years, and I’m amazed at the way God brought me to one place in order to point me in the right direction.

I think I’ll end up reflecting more about this later, as I’m realizing that the severe sleep deprivation I’ve managed to accumulate over the last week is definitely catching up to me. My mind keeps racing ahead, and then all of a sudden it has fallen way behind to where it was two sentences ago. This has been quite the week, I finally arrived at convocation station, got hooded, admitted, and got the Bachelor of Science degree I sweated after for four years. Today, I saw my efforts put toward my dad’s campaign launch come together. We had a great crowd out, and sound equipment and food went well. My dad gave an excellent speech, and though we had a brief loss of a few papers from the wind, he recovered perfectly and all went well. It was somewhat surreal to be sitting and listening to my dad talk about his vision for the city I grew up in, and then heading down to City Hall to file the official paperwork. It was strange being back there after being there so often growing up, and to once again have the media hanging around.

All in all, it has been a crazy week full of nostalgia, stress, smiles, balancing support raising with a campaign launch and convocation, and little room for sleep. I’m somewhat sad to see it all officially behind me now, but mostly excited for what the future now holds. I now hold a degree that is an accomplishment necessary to work full time in a job I love and believe in, another step complete. My dad now holds the papers that are allowing him to take the next step toward a job he also loves and believes in. As I continue ministry partner development, and my dad continues on in his campaign, the slogan he has chosen seems even more significant… “Yes We Can.” The best part about that “we” is that it includes a loving God who will be helping me along the way.