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What Our Grads Say

Shanelle Balfour, biology, physical therapy, '05

Balfour_Shanelle.jpgShanelle Balfour, Alumna, (Biology, physical therapy, ’05), has completed her masters in occupational therapy and her doctorate in physical therapy. It has been a long and rigorous journey for Shanelle. In August of 2002, Shanelle traveled from her home in Tobago to start her dream of becoming a physical therapist and occupational therapist. At Roberts, Shanelle was a key player on the both the women’s soccer and track and field teams, a good student, and a joy to be around. Her enthusiasm and endurance led her to graduation and then on to St. Augustine, Florida where she graduated and received with high honors her Masters in Occupational Therapy and Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Dr. Balfour is now a licensed therapist presently working in Selma, Alabama.

Dr. Balfour reflects on her time at Roberts:

When God has a plan for you, he works out his way on his calendar. When I consider my application to Roberts; this was the last application I sent in because it was a free online application. I really did not think I was going to be attending Roberts as I had already procurred a full scholarship to a College in South Carolina. However, Jeremiah 29:11 tells me that God has a plan for me and with that I give my thanks to the Professors at Roberts for their tutelage and support. My special thanks to Dr. Barbara Rose whose smiling face always bore a welcome for me and Donna Alder whose first words to my class of which I wholeheartedly came to depend on was that she would always be there for us all, that she would be “cheering from the grand stands” for me and the other students under her care. Those words have been with me from then till now. My sincerest appreciation and thanks to all who supported and helped this international student to fulfill her dreams.

The memories I take with me always, some more than others...the tall mountain of snow I will never forget as I soon came to realize the balmy 80 degrees I was used to would soon turn to a wintry -8 degrees when I came to Rochester with my little windbreaker thinking I was ready for the winter...talk about a culture shock! My soccer team could always find me though, I was always the one decked out in 2 layers of sweats, hat, earmuff and red gloves living up to my moniker Red Lightning!

But through it all...To GOD be the Glory...Great things He hath done. How wonderfully blessed I am that God has kept me through it all…it has certainly been a long haul but so worth the trials I endured to be able to come out on the other side shouting…Hallelujah...for it is but the highest praise.

Amy Ensign Kovach, chemistry

Kovach_Amy.jpgRoberts Wesleyan College afforded me more than just a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry. The Math and Science departments at Roberts provided me with the opportunity to actively participate in my own education. I was able to serve as a lab assistant for my entire career at RWC. These opportunities served as a catalyst for my passion for teaching and provided experience that prepared me for not only the teaching requirements in graduate school but also for my future career. The faculty at Roberts challenged me, encouraged me, and forced me to broaden my horizons. My professors were more than just instructors; they were mentors, sources of encouragement, and at times great listeners. With small classes and hands on lab experience I was well prepared for graduate school. Now as a faculty member at Roberts I continue to experience what I loved so much as a student: faculty student interactions, small classes, and a hands on learning environment.

Caitlyn McFarland, biochemistry, pre-med

McFarland_Caitlyn.jpgFollowing my graduation from Roberts in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, I began my first professional job as a Research Laboratory Technician at the University of Vermont while I considered my options for post-baccalaureate education. The transition from my bachelors education at Roberts to working in an academic research lab was remarkably smooth. My research at Roberts with Dr. Cynthia Davis combined with my classroom science experiences prepared me to perform well in my new job duties. Though there are many professional advantages to studying science at Roberts, what I most value were the opportunities to seriously reflect on science as a vocational choice for a person of faith, wonderful mentoring from faculty, and my development of Christian qualities such as integrity, honesty, and compassion alongside my research skills. Even after graduation, Roberts faculty continue to support and encourage me as I prepare a medical school application for the 2011 cycle.