June 02, 2022
Looking up: Mackenzie Maude ’22
Mackenzie “Kenzie” Maude ’22, from Newtown, Conn., was one of five top students in the Class of 2022. A double major in art history and mathematics and a minor in French, she is applying to jobs within her major disciplines and may further her education.
I always looked down when walking around campus. I like to watch where I am stepping, keep my face out of the sun, and even tuck my chin into the top of my jacket in the winter to keep it warm. However, senior year has taught me to look up, walk slower, and take it all in before it’s gone. To an extent, I will always look back and wish I did more to soak in every moment. But I leave Providence College knowing that I did my best and that I have my memories to bring with me. I hope everyone in the Class of 2022 can say the same.
As a sophomore, I found my second home on campus (my first was the math department in Howley) when I joined PC’s Dance Company, directed by Dr. Wendy Oliver. Near the end of every semester, we had a show of either guest or student choreography. Every tech week, when we rehearsed our dances in the Angell Blackfriars Theatre, Wendy reminded us of one of the most important differences between dancing in a studio and dancing in a proscenium theater. Since there are audience members sitting high above you in the back of the theater, you have to look up to the back row.
For the last five semesters I was a math tutor for the math department. This past year of tutoring I had many students that frequently saw me for help. I got to know their names, hear about why they came to PC, why they chose their majors, and give them advice for the remainder of their years here. They made me realize I want to teach. I hope I was someone they looked up to in more ways than simply looking up to see me write on the whiteboard.
One of the things I valued the most about Providence College is its size. Every graduate in my class had at least one professor that got to know them well, that they took multiple classes with, and/or has changed their life for the better in some way. I would like to recognize and thank the professors who spent their time getting to know me and helped 18-year-old me grow into the person she is today. Thank you, Dr. Donohoe, Dr. Su, Madame Faivre, Dr. Crenshaw, and Dr. Reeder. Each of you did more for me in my time here than you know. I look up to all of you.
I, like many new graduates, have wrestled with figuring out what I am supposed to do next, what the “right” path is for me. I recently heard someone say that when it comes to big life decisions, there is not one “right” path. Rather, if every decision is made in accordance with your own values, you will end up in a good place. This advice gave me a sense of peace. I am looking up towards the future and implore my classmates to do the same.
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