Meet this morning’s Faculty of Science valedictorian
What emoji best represents you? What is your definition of success? Meet Taylor Wilkins, the morning valedictorian at the June 14 convocation for the Faculty of Science.
1. Name
Taylor Ann Wilkins
2. Where is your hometown?
Mattawa, ON.
3. What is the degree and subject you pursued?
Honours BSc. Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology
4. What made you choose McMaster for your higher education career?
I chose McMaster after visiting the university with my parents and brother. We met kind, enthusiastic students and faculty every time we asked for directions (which was often), and the campus itself exuded so much energy and character. I left certain that I wanted to join the McMaster community.
5. What will you be doing after graduation or see yourself doing?
I will be working at McMaster’s Physical Activity Centre of Excellence and with regional and provincial soccer leagues this summer as an athletic therapist. I will continue working toward becoming a physician throughout the school year!
6. What would you say to your first-year self?
Dear first year me: Hang tight! First year is busy and at times overwhelming, but the opportunities, memories, mistakes and hard work are all part of the process, and this process becomes all the more enjoyable if you can find time to step back and appreciate it. Also, the only food you will cook in residence is Kraft Dinner – leave the 3 spatulas and muffin tins at home!
7. Do you have any advice for current and future students?
Current students: By now, you’ve all probably become all-stars at losing your student cards, biking with groceries on your handle bars, and very comfortable leaving all your valuables with fellow Marauders in any library. This is a friendly reminder that I benefitted from in my final years at Mac: Remember that studying at McMaster University is not an opportunity that everyone receives! You are in a position to learn from some of the brightest minds in the country, so ask the questions you have, challenge your learning, and pursue what fascinates you. Future students: My advice to you is to do/try/seek to accomplish every single thing you think you can’t throughout your time at McMaster, because you’ll likely find out that, in fact, you can. Don’t shy away from challenge! You’ll learn tremendously from it.
8. How has McMaster shaped the person you are today?
The McMaster community has contributed immensely to who I am today. I’m grateful to have learned from devoted and passionate professors who have contributed to my interests in language, mechanics, culture, and human psychology. Moreover, great mentors, close friends and many acquaintances have taught me to be adaptable, resilient and inquisitive in everything I do.
9. What events did you enjoy the most at McMaster/Hamilton?
In Hamilton, I would definitely say attending art crawls on James St. N. My favourite events at McMaster were Relay for Life, Homecoming, the Reel Paddling Film Festival and ClubsFest. I could also reliably be found attending any and all events with free food.
10. What is your definition of success?
I would define success as achieving balance in life: balance between work and fun, health and happiness, challenge and ease. The most successful individuals, in my opinion, are so balanced themselves that they are able to devote more time and energy toward helping others.
11. How has McMaster helped you create a brighter world?
My experiences at McMaster have helped me to see intrinsic value in positively impacting others, and have provided me with the sociocultural perspective required to do so effectively. To date, I have fulfilled roles centered around innovation and the well-being of others as a teaching assistant, in course design, and in rehabilitation involving the athletic population and populations with disabilities. I hope to continue to apply myself in a similar fashion as a McMaster graduate.
12. What motivates you to work hard?
In general, I am motivated by my interests, and by any opportunity to help others. When I’m studying however, definitely peanut butter.
13. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would choose to be able to give happy memories back to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease without their families knowing. Alzheimer’s is a disease that has greatly impacted my family alongside so many others, and I think this simple act would provide some comfort to both the individual and their family.
14. Who is your favourite professor?
Krista Madsen-Baker was the first professor back when my family and I attended a campus tour, and also one of the last! Krista is an innovative and grounded professor who always took extra care to remind us as students to think critically about our learning and to be present in our experiences. She inspired me as a teaching assistant to respect quality over quantity in teaching, and as a person to appreciate challenge. She’s great.
I was fortunate to receive an entrance bursary as well as the Dr. C and Dr. S Bentall incurs bursary. Over the last four years, I’ve witnessed the many research initiatives and improvements to student and campus life that donations from generous donors make possible. Additionally, I’ve experienced first-hand the relief that financial aid, no matter the sum, can provide a university student. I’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to give back to McMaster in order to assist fellow Marauders in pursuing their education and their passions.
