ALUMNI PROFILES
STACEY ROBINS
Stacey earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from St. Mary's University College in 2007.What have you done since you graduated from St. Mary’s?
After I graduated from St. Mary's in 2007, I worked in aftershool program development with the City of Calgary. Last year, after watching the Vancouver Olympics I decided to finally pursue a career in the media. I applied to SAIT for the Radio, Television and Broadcast News program, and was accepted! I started last fall, and absolutely love it. We spend our days writing news casts for radio and TV, and are learning all the aspects of what goes into the news, including audio and video editing, shooting and writing. I've still got a whole year left in the program, but I will be heading to Fort St. John, B.C. for the summer to work for Astral Media on two radio stations, and their TV station CJDC, reporting about community events.Is there something about St. Mary’s that made your experience as a student here unique?
I think that the experience as a whole was unique, especially when I speak to my friends who went to larger institutions. I was able to create life-long friendships and pursue many of my passions while at St. Mary's. I played basketball and futsal, worked for Campus Rec and served on Student Council for three years, all while taking courses that were interesting to me. Being at St. Mary's gave me the chance to explore who I was in an environment that was supportive and nurturing. I'm not sure I would have made it through university had I gone anywhere else. And for that, I'm always going to be grateful.Do you believe St. Mary’s had an influence in helping you get to where you are today? If so, how?
St. Mary's absolutely influenced where I am today, and in so many different ways. Being at St. Mary's laid the foundation for my future career. I hadn't figured it out yet, but in my final year I did my IDST 400 project on Sport Media and Gender, which has helped me while doing radio broadcasts of SAIT Trojans Hockey. I was able to meet my hero, Rudy Ruttieger, when he spoke at the President's Dinner. That moment was important to me, because I identify strongly with his story and his message: dream big and never, ever give up. I think the biggest influence that St. Mary's has had on me though was knowing that I could accomplish something. The moment that I stood on the stage with my degree was the first time that I had ever felt a sense of pride in myself, and the work that I had done. I worked really hard to get there, and finally had something that nobody could ever take away from me. It's hard to even write about it without getting emotional! But I carry that feeling of pride and accomplishment with me every day.Would you recommend St. Mary’s to others? If so why?
I would and do! I think that the experience that you get at St. Mary's is unmatched by any other institution. Spending time at StMU gives you the opportunity to figure out who you are, and what you are passionate about, even if you have no idea coming in. It's an environment that allows you to develop not only as a student, but as a whole person, and the support available to you is amazing. I still have a yellowing piece of paper with Linda Henderson's "got a problem? get a plan" plan that she gave me in my last year.
CHRISTINE LOUIE
Christine took courses as part of the Religious Education Administration Program (REAP) from 2005 – 2007.What have you done since you graduated from St. Mary’s?
I am a consultant for religious education for the Calgary Catholic School District.What aspects of St. Mary’s had the greatest impact on your personal life?
I would have to say the entire experience had the greatest impact on my personal life. I can’t sum it up better than that. The entire community, everything, was a life changing experience and a very positive one.What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
Practical, dedicated and enthusiastic.Is there something about St. Mary’s that made your experience as a student here unique?
The great learning environment because I love the small classes. I love getting to know all my professors and the other students really well. There was a big age difference between me and the other students as I was working on the Religious Education Administration Program but everyone was so open and inviting.An interesting memory you have of St. Mary’s?
A great and interesting memory for me was going every Wednesday to attend the special masses St. Mary’s holds.
