In her four years as a student at Le Moyne, Maureen McDonough has kept herself quite busy. Along with being a member of the swimming team all four years and an RA for three, McDonough somehow finds time to participate in half a dozen committees and concentrate on her future.
“I’ve applied to dental school and physical therapy school,” McDonough said. “I’m hoping to specialize in pediatrics with a focus on children with developmental disabilities.”
A senior biology major with minors in chemistry and psychology, McDonough noted that her interest in biology stemmed from her own experiences with her sister.
“My sister was born with a chromosome abnormality,” McDonough said, “and it was her progress through that that sparked my interest. It’s where my empathy for that type of situation comes from.”
In past years, McDonough has even been commended for her work with children in this area. As a member of the swimming team, she took part in Familycapped, Inc., a program that helps handicapped children swim. The father of an autistic child that McDonough assisted was impressed to the point of writing her a glowing letter. The letter was then read by President Fred Pestello at this year’s Founders’ Day Gala.
“It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me,” McDonough said. “It makes me think you should always give back in whatever respect you can. It’s definitely the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
McDonough serves as the treasurer for the Student Athlete Advising Committee and the vice-president of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, both of which have also reached out to help children. The former focuses on fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation while the latter formed a “Young Biologists Club” at Holy Cross Elementary School.
“We taught fun bio classes every two weeks for kids from first to sixth grade,” McDonough stated.
Other activities include Pre-Health Society, the statue planning committee and the campus pub planning committee.
“I’ve been asked to speak at the pub opening this week,” McDonough said. “I’m nervous about that, but it’s been fun to plan what will be the mark of our senior class.”
McDonough seems reluctant to leave Le Moyne, even going so far as to collect cups with the Le Moyne insignia.
“There are so many things I’m going to miss, I don’t even want to think about it,” McDonough said. “I just finished the swimming season. It’s so sad. I’ve been swimming since I was eight and I don’t know what to do with myself now.”
“I’m going to miss the environment,” McDonough said. “I love the people that go here. Everyone seems to have a smile on their face.”
