Meet Hargun Grewal, today’s Humanities valedictorian

Name: Hargun Grewal
Hometown: Brampton, ON
What is the degree and subject you pursued? Honours Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law (B.A.)

Why did you choose to attend McMaster?

I chose to attend McMaster because the Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law program really intrigued me. The program fundamentally challenges the way we view legal and political systems which is something I believed I could gain a lot from and did.

What do you plan to do/see yourself doing after graduation?

Spending some time with family and friends as well as taking a break before deciding what to do next but I’m hopeful to pursue higher education.

Any advice to your first-year self?

I would advise my first-year self to be unapologetically yourself. Looking back, I realize that I often doubted myself and my decisions because I was not confident in my abilities and did not surround myself with a supportive environment. Once I started living genuinely to who I am regardless of acceptance and without care to the thoughts of others was when I became significantly happier.

Any advice for current or future students?

I would advise current or future students to not be ashamed in asking for help when you need it. It is important to access resources such as your academic advisors when you’re feeling overwhelmed or lost because they are there to support and guide you.

How has McMaster shaped the person you are today?

The people I have built relationships with at McMaster have been the ones to shape the person I am today. I have made the most supportive friends here and learned from the best professors who have continuously challenged me to be better.

What events did you enjoy the most at McMaster or in Hamilton?

An event I enjoyed the most at McMaster was attending the 2020 Charity Ball, I got to spend the night with some of my closest friends and made some fun memories. It was also the last event I attended before McMaster closed due to the pandemic, so it has a special significance.

What is your definition of success?

I believe that success is a state of mind, it’s not achieved through any single means such as wealth or notoriety but a way to frame your actions to align with what you want to achieve in life. I think for success to be impactful and not fleeting it must be grounded in knowing who you are and what you want for yourself.

How has McMaster helped you to create a brighter world?

McMaster has helped me create a brighter world by providing me with an opportunity to engage in issues I deeply care about. Through different work and volunteer experiences I was able to give back to communities in Hamilton that have helped support my learning.

Who is your favourite professor?

This is the question I find most difficult to answer because I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the most amazing professors and instructors throughout the course of my undergrad, all of whom supported me along my journey. If I had to choose it would be Dr. Nancy Doubleday because of her passion for the subjects she teaches and how she connects with students.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Ever since I was a kid I have been interested in magic and superpowers so my imagination tends to run wild, but I think the ability to time travel would be cool.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

I would like to live somewhere tropical, near the beach, and with a lot of natural sunlight so a place like Hawaii would be ideal.

What have you been doing to self-care during the pandemic?

To self-care during the pandemic, I have been going on walks with my dog, doing skincare before bed, and curating ultra-specific Spotify playlists based on my different moods. With the increased amount of time spent on my phone and laptop, whenever possible, I try to spend as much time I can away from electronics.

What’s the hardest part about working virtually for you? The easiest?

The easiest part about working virtually has been the amount of time saved since work and school are all in one place and the hardest part is the decreased amount of social interaction.

While at Mac, did you receive donor-funded financial assistance (e.g., a scholarship, award, bursary)? Any thoughts on the importance of giving back to your alma mater to support future generations?

I have received some donor-funded financial assistance while at Mac and I think it is important to give back so future generations, especially those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, can also have an opportunity to attend post-secondary education.