Class of 2022 Shares Memories and Advice
Contributed by Joanna Williams, DeGroote Writer
During the Spring 2022 convocation ceremony we spoke with graduating students about their time at DeGroote. Some of the words they used to describe their cohort include: motivating, resilient, community, outstanding, amazing, hard working, friendly, and wonderful.
“This is my favorite day of the year,” says Sue McCracken, Associate Dean, Academic. “I’m so proud of all our students. It was so lovely seeing them all walk across the stage with big smiles. And we can’t forget the parents and the families and how exciting it is for everyone. We talk about the DeGroote community and the community extends past just our students and our faculty and staff. It’s all of the families as well.”
How does it feel to be graduating?
“It feels amazing! To be amongst my peers is truly remarkable and to see everyone’s accomplishments. I’m so proud to be a DeGroote graduate. DeGroote has meant so much to me – I absolutely love the community. I was very involved as an undergrad and I’m so proud to be part of the DeGroote alumni.”
Stephanie Halliday, BCom ‘22
Describe your cohort in one word
“Amazing! In the IBH program I met amazing people, made some amazing friends and did some amazing work with them so I will remember them for a very, very long time.”
Mehak Dutt, IBH ‘22
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
“Enjoy the journey. It’s not really about the destination, you really want to spend time enjoying the people you’re with and the classes you’re in. You only get to do university once, so you really should enjoy your time there.”
Michael Power, BCom ‘22
What’s your proudest memory of your time at DeGroote?
“My first co-op because that was a time when I was not sure if I would be getting an internship or not – and I had five offers – so that was one of the proudest moments for me.”
Sumit Dave, MBA ‘22
Describe your cohort in one word
“Community. The first time I came to campus I just knew that this was the one I was going to go to. It just felt like one big happy family and that’s how I felt the entire four years I’ve been here.”
Faith Lahti, BCom ’22
How does it feel to be graduating?
“It’s amazing being here and it’s amazing collecting our blood sweat and tears on a piece of paper. It’s a great feeling.”
M. Sheharyar Rashid, MFin ‘22
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
“Keep calm. Honestly everything happens for a reason. You learn from each failure that comes your way and you just have to learn and improve based on any obstacle that comes through.”
Ahlam Makhtal, BCom ‘22
Do you have a hero?
“My mom, my grandparents, myself as well, and my friends. Everyone that really inspired me and shaped me and who I met during my undergrad. Everyone that I meet really inspires me and they’re all my heroes.”
Shirou (Yvonne) Zheng, BCom ‘22
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
“Enjoy the experience. Keep learning from people around you, be it friends, family, faculty, staff – they’re all there to support you, so learn from them as much as you can.”
Atishaye Adya, MBA ‘22
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
“Go out and try everything. Be courageous, take the risk because they’re all going to be worth it. There’s growth in the fall.”
Abiha Hassan, IBH ‘22
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