If you could have any superpower what would it be? What is your definition of success? Meet Joshua Marando, the valedictorian at the June 10 convocation for the Faculty of Arts & Science.

1. Name:
Joshua Marando

2. Hometown:
King City

3. What is the degree and subject you pursued?
Arts & Science

4. What made you choose McMaster for your higher education career?
I chose McMaster after my sister and many friends attend McMaster before me. I was initially apprehensive of attending for fear of just following in their footsteps and not paving my own path. That said, after meeting all the kind student leaders, seeing what McMaster had to offer, and truly understanding what it meant to feel at home in an institution, I knew there was no better choice.

5. What will you be doing/see yourself doing after graduation?
After graduation I will be working full time for the McMaster Students Union. I intend on eventually going back to school to receive an MBA and my hope is to work in the post-secondary sector.

6. What would you say to your first-year self?
Dear first year me, trust the process. I know it is scary leaving everyone and everything behind, but it will be okay. You will find your place here, you will grow into yourself. You will have some hard failures, but that will make the successes even sweeter. Also take some time to chill, it will all work out.

7. Do you have any advice for current and future students?
For the current students, keep doing what you’re doing. Take the time to appreciate where you are, because it will be over before you know it. At this point, I don’t need to tell you that you will succeed, and you will fail, but something that took be a while to learn was that in every failure is a lesson and, in every success, there is an opportunity to do even more. Keep fighting the good fight and working to make this world a better place. To our future students, try new things, be open to what this institution and the people within it have to offer you. Don’t lose sight of who you are, pave your own path, and take the time to have some fun.

8. How has McMaster shaped the person you are today?
McMaster taught me to explore my interests and to find what I really enjoy. If you asked me what I would be doing after my degree back in first year, the answer would be much different than it is now. This is because of all the individuals who have impacted me as part of my university career. My wonderful mentors, friends, and everyone else who I met through McMaster have taught me to think critically and challenge everything and work towards change.

9. What events did you enjoy the most at McMaster/Hamilton?
Welcome Week holds a very special place in my heart. Without Welcome Week there is absolutely no way that I would be where I am today. The wonderful leaders that I have met through it have supported me so much throughout my McMaster journey and I’m so grateful for them and the week that brought us together.

10. What is your definition of success?
For me, the definition of success is leaving a place better than you found it. This mean looking at systems, challenging them, and listening to critiques to understand what you can do better.

11. How has McMaster helped you create a Brighter World?
McMaster has facilitated the interactions and the positions where I can impact positive change. McMaster is a place where I can listen, where I can fail, and where I can grow as a person to become the best me I can be, and then utilize that knowledge to impart change elsewhere.

12. What motivates you to work hard?
I am motivated by my passion. I am a very emotionally driven person and it is my passion for things that motivates me to keep pushing towards improvements.

13. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Probably invisibility.

14. Who is your favourite professor?
I would have to say Hartley Jafine. I took his course, Theatre and Society, and it showed me real life examples of how we can utilize our passions to enact positive change and help others. 

15. What book are you currently reading?
Nothing at the moment, but my favourite book that I read this past year would probably be The Odyssey.

16. 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?
In 2015 I received the presidents entrance scholarship and in 2017 I received one of the University Prizes for Special Achievement. If I am able I would love to support future generation through a needs-based bursary to help make university more accessible in whatever way I can.