Class of 2008, English Education Major
Hometown: Defiance, Ohio

After graduating from Ayersville High School, a small school near Defiance, Ohio, Kelsey MacDonald was ready for another small-school experience for her college career.

And despite some early reservations, UF ended up being the perfect fit.

“I didn’t want to go here at first, but I visited and it just fit,” she said. “I call it ‘Friendly Findlay.’”

After initially declaring a Spanish education major, MacDonald decided to switch to adolescent/young adult language arts education. This qualifies her to teach grades seven through 12, and she is currently wrapping up her student teaching at Van Buren High School.

Kelsey talks to high school students at Van Buren High School, where she completed her student teaching.

And her passion for teaching has made her professors take note.

“She embodies all things good about UF,” said Christine Denecker, Ph.D., assistant professor of English. “She’s a gem.”

MacDonald cites Denecker as one of the most influential people she has worked with at the University.

“Dr. Denecker is so fantastic. She has given me so much confidence in my teaching,” she said. “She’s my role model and one of my great friends.”

MacDonald has found great friends other places on campus, as well. She is an active participant in several on-campus activities, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Thursday Night Live (TNL) and Aristos Eklektos. In between these clubs and her student teaching, she also found time to serve as a student mentor for the First-Year Experience program and as editor for the Mazza Messenger, the museum’s newsletter.

Kelsey as a freshman orientation leader with Amanda Boyce.

MacDonald believes involvement in campus activities is extremely important, and she encourages students to be involved. She also has some other advice.

“Work on time management and know how to prioritize,” she says. “And develop relationships with your professors. They’re here to offer support and guidance.”

Her strong ties to the College of Education are evident, as the members of the college connected her with her student teaching position at Van Buren and enthusiastically supported her as an outstanding graduate.

MacDonald is appreciative of the many opportunities The University of Findlay has offered her, especially the chance to attend a conference for teachers that allowed her to spend time out of class but still learning.

“We went to the National Council for Teachers of English in Nashville,” she said, citing the trip as one of her fondest memories of her time at UF. “It was a great experience the University offered me.”

And even though she did not want to come to Findlay at first, MacDonald is now confident she made the right choice for her education.

“I definitely feel this is where God called me,” she said.

By Paige Aten ’08, communication major, Napoleon, Ohio