Senior Cady LaPoint VanCura is a biology major with a premedical concentration and biochemistry minor with a goal to become a doctor. While Cady has big professional goals, she’s also proud of her personal accomplishments while balancing her education.
“Being a Comet has taught me that I’m capable of so much more than I ever knew was possible,” Cady said. “While at Olivet over the last three years, I’ve studied full time, worked full time, gotten married, bought a house, started a farm and had two amazing children, all while maintaining a high GPA. All of the opportunities I’ve had have given me the confidence to achieve any goal I set for myself.”
Cady has already followed her passion for the medical field, and she currently serves as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist at Oaklawn Hospital. The experience has helped her build professional skills, especially working hands-on with patients. After graduation, Cady is eager to enter medical school, with the ultimate goal to work as a doctor in the Olivet area community.
In addition to her studies, Cady is also involved with clubs and organizations to help her prepare for her future career.
“I am a part of the Gruen Chemistry Society where chemistry majors and other interested students come together to explore chemistry,” Cady said. “The group also reaches out to our local community with events like Math and Science Night held at the College and volunteering with science fairs at local public schools. Plus, being a member of the Gruen Chemistry Society allowed me the opportunity to travel to Orlando to the national American Chemical Society conference where I learned about all the cutting edge advances in our field, as well as make personal connections with others with similar interests.
I’m also a member of Sigma Zeta, a national math and science honor society, which is a group of STEM students who maintain high grade point averages and help promote STEM-related activities with local kids. In addition, I’ll be graduating as a Global Citizen Honors Program scholar after completing my thesis work on type two diabetes last spring. I recently graduated from the ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Program, which is a great opportunity for women to learn and grow. The program teaches valuable interpersonal skills, as well as self-awareness, and works on building your confidence to be able to lead by example in life and your future career.”
Cady has made many connections through her academic and extracurricular involvement, and her relationship with her professors particularly stands out.
“The professors at Olivet are truly family to me at this point,” Cady emphasized. “Going through college while working full time and having both my daughter and son would have been impossible without the encouragement and advice from all of my professors. Their understanding of each individual’s circumstances is what sets them apart from all other colleges. I owe all my accomplishments to the endless conversations and advice from Dr. Susanne Lewis, chair of the Natural and Physical Science Department and associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. John Wilterding, professor of biology and chemistry. The one-on-one attention you get at Olivet makes the difference for a lot of students, and that’s hard to find anywhere else.”
As a nontraditional student, Cady is proud to represent how The University of Olivet meets all students’ needs. Whether a high school student, a transfer student or any other non-traditional student, Cady hopes others will consider attending The University of Olivet to take advantage of the personalized attention.
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admissions at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
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