My CBU Story: Valedictorian Evan MacNeil
Cape Breton University student Evan MacNeil was born and raised in the small 福利免费在线看 of Mill Creek, Cape Breton. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2017 Evan鈥檚 passion for teaching called him to enrol in the Bachelor of Education program at CBU. Now, after several years of hard work and dedication, Evan will be representing his graduating class as Valedictorian for the 2019 Fall Convocation.
Despite considering himself a naturally shy person, Evan is excited to present his speech during the convocation ceremony. 鈥淚 always tell people just show up and do it,鈥� Evan explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my advice to others so I have to embody it myself.鈥� He hopes his speech will inspire his fellow graduates to continue striving toward greatness through continual improvement.聽
It is this drive toward improvement that carried Evan through his educational journey, developing his interests and goals along the way. Evan says the professors at CBU were there for him every step of the way, opening his eyes to various opportunities and experiences. 鈥淲hat stands out about the Education program at CBU is definitely the professors,鈥� Evan shares. 鈥淭hey offer a variety of personalities and teaching backgrounds that provide students with a barrel of knowledge to pull from.鈥� Evan also says the opportunities to tutor and begin teaching as a substitute just two months after finishing his classes in July were a valuable hands-on introduction to the field of education.聽
In preparing his speech, Evan has spent plenty of time reflecting fondly on his journey at CBU and the memories he made along the way. One standout memory took place during a communications class taught by professor Michael MacDonald. A huge movie buff, Evan was thrilled to be in a class that allowed him to partner with a friend to create an indie film. 鈥淢aking that video was one of my favourite experiences,鈥� says Evan. 鈥淚t was so much fun shooting the film around campus and doing something I鈥檓 passionate about. That opportunity to explore your passions is something a lot of the courses here at CBU offer.鈥�
Classes won鈥檛 be the only thing Evan will miss about CBU, to him, it鈥檚 the simple feeling of being a CBU student that he is hesitant to give up. 鈥淚鈥檒l miss the environment of CBU itself. There鈥檚 something about the colours and how vibrant CBU is, especially in the fall,鈥� says Evan. 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l miss the professors and instructors who made learning fun. That鈥檚 what I want to reflect in my own teaching.鈥澛�
Now that Evan鈥檚 time at CBU comes to a close he says he feels prepared, both professionally and personally for the future, thanks to his studies. 鈥淢y time at CBU really helped me with my people skills, especially as someone who has always been kind of shy and nervous,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hose skills have absolutely prepared me for the outside world.鈥澛�
To those considering coming to CBU, Evan says an astounding 鈥渄efinitely go.鈥� His advice is to take the time to visit the campus and speak to current students about their experiences. 鈥淣o matter what your interests are,鈥� says Evan. 鈥淐BU will have something to offer you.鈥澛�
In the end, Evan says he wouldn鈥檛 change a thing about his journey at CBU and says graduating as Valedictorian is the perfect way to wrap it up. 鈥淚 never thought in a million years that I would be valedictorian, but here I am,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 am very lucky to be here and I鈥檓 so happy to be representing such hard-working students. I couldn鈥檛 have picked a better school and I will always advocate for people to come to CBU.鈥澛�
Learn more about CBU’s Bachelor of Education Program