The resume Mary Rexroat built during her four years on campus is impressive: Student Government Association President, Mother Teresa Scholar, Varsity Athlete (Cross Country and Lacrosse), President of the Sisterhood of Mary Magdalene, Resident Assistant, Mission Outreach member, and Student Athlete Advisory Committee member. In addition to these formal roles, Mary has provided many Mother Teresa Project service hours locally and traveled on mission trips. She even helped found a non-profit organization called Champions of Charity which is in place at nearly twenty colleges to promote student volunteer service projects. Mary will graduate in May and start her career this summer. In a recent interview, Mary shared thoughts on her AMU experience and collegiate success.
Why did you choose to come to AMU?
When I visited AMU during my junior year of high school, I felt at home. The people were so welcoming, the faculty expressed genuine interest in their students, and Christ was at the center. These three have rung true throughout my last four years.
How did you select your major and minor?
I chose to have a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology because science has always been an interest of mine. Over time it seems the more I have learned about how the world functions, the more awe and amazement I have for God’s creations.
How has your AMU experience prepared you for internships and your upcoming career?
I have found that the breadth of liberal arts learning and the focus on communication skills at AMU helped me to accurately and intelligibly do well in interviews and in day-to-day work projects. Effective communication is what helped me get an internship at a medical device company after my junior year. Ave has also offered numerous leadership opportunities which helped me to be organized and decisive.
You are the Student Government Association (SGA) President. How has this role helped you on campus and with your future goals?
Through this campus leadership role I learned so much and developed a broader appreciation for everyone at AMU, from administrators to students. The role works daily with AMU’s administration which has shown me the dedication and focus the staff has for the students. My experience has sparked a desire to work on institutional healthcare reform that will allow flexibility for parents in medicine and bring awareness the scientific consequences of abortion.
What other groups were you involved with over the years at AMU?
I set a goal for myself at AMU to get involved in a variety of organizations that would broaden my knowledge and skills. I am a Mother Teresa Scholar and have volunteered with this group since freshman year. I ran Cross Country for AMU and played Lacrosse for one season too. I serve as the President of the Sisterhood of Mary Magdalene. I was a Resident Assistant. I was a member of the Mission Outreach team for one year. And, I served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for two years.
How did your cross country experience influence your life?
The members of the cross country team became my second family at AMU. I am deeply grateful for the friendships I formed during that time and for having a group of friends I could rely on. The sport itself strengthened my work ethic, time-management skills, and mental capacity.
How have you balanced your faith, academics and extra-curricular activities over the years?
I did it by putting faith first. I firmly believe that not even the smallest thing I did was without the grace of God. I always felt that if I gave my time to Him, that God returned it tenfold. If I kept a relationship with God, everything else went as it was supposed to. Ave fosters a culture that made it easy for me to grow in faith by developing a much deeper, more personal relationship with God.
Do you have some favorite AMU memories?
One that will always remain with me was seeing over six hundred AMU students gather together this semester after Emily Acosta passed away. We united ourselves ardently in prayer for her and her family, and in comfort for each other. It was truly moving. Another of my favorite memories was when the football team ran to our packed student zone after beating Southeastern for the division title. There was so much camaraderie!
What job do you have lined up after graduation?
I will work at a bioelectric technology company as Manager of Regulatory Affairs. I also intend to go back to school for post-graduate education in healthcare. I also met my fiancé who is a 2018 AMU graduate while here. We will be married this coming summer.
What would you say to someone considering attending AMU?
I would say, “What are you waiting for? Apply!” And I would tell them, “Be open to where God calls you and trust in His plans.”
