Arts 100: Alumni Stories

Jessica Cornel (BA '07) History 

I graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2007 with an Honours BA in History, and attending Laurier remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was a place where I built lifelong friendships, developed essential skills, and made lasting memories, from working at the Bookstore, spending time in classes in the DAWB, countless hours researching/studying in the library, to enjoying post-class pints at Wilf’s.

After graduation, I taught ESL in South Korea before pursuing a career in education; something inspired by both my time abroad and my experience in the Laurier’s arts program. I’ve now been teaching for 15 years and currently serve as the Head of the History Department at my school.

I’m forever grateful to Laurier, not only for equipping me with the tools needed for a fulfilling career, but for the community, friendships, and experiences that continue to enrich my life.

Jason Shim (BA ’07) Religion & Culture 

My time at Laurier was formative, as it afforded me countless opportunities to explore, develop new skills, and follow my own path. While my academic focus was on the liberal arts, I had the opportunity to help professors navigate their technology and multimedia needs. I served as the online publications manager for The Cord and was a founding member of the Arts Council (now the Arts Undergraduate Society), where I helped to establish what became the AUS Grant Fund. At Laurier, my directed study that examined how people get married in online environments was published as a book chapter. This allowed me to engage with senior researchers at international conferences, where my scholarly contributions were valued even as an undergraduate student.

After graduating, I worked for numerous nonprofits and fulfilled my dream of helping others achieve their dreams. Being at Laurier enabled me to build a solid foundation of education, skills, and experience, and to pursue leadership positions in the nonprofit sector which has empowered me to make a broader impact on the world. Today, I remain connected to Laurier. It has been rewarding to give back through volunteering on committees and sharing my knowledge with the next generation of Laurier students and alumni. I look forward to celebrating the continued contributions of Laurier students!

Melissa Fitzgerald (BA '05) Religion & Culture 

As proud Laurier graduate, I feel so honoured to contribute some of the highlights of my time as an undergrad to this special Centenery collection of Laurier Arts Alumni stories and share a little bit about how my experience as a Religion and Culture student helped shape my life and work over the past 20 years.

Post-secondary education was not a path I had considered for myself after having dropped out of high school, a credit shy of graduating in 1999, suffering from frequent panic attacks and terrible anxiety. However, with the encouragement of a Laurier Arts graduate student friend a couple years later, I would nervously apply as a part-time “mature student” to the Faculty of Arts.

From September 2001 until I would accept my diploma (BA Class ’05, with distinction), in June 2006, I maintained a part-time course load, year-round, while working and living off-campus. The practical support I was given by the accessibility department was essential in helping me manage academically, and the faculty in the small and wonderful Religion and Culture department encouraged and inspired me in ways that were so meaningful to my personal development and my confidence as a student.

I’m especially grateful to Carol Duncan and Ron Grimes, who taught classes that so thoroughly engaged and changed me for the better. A memorable highlight that continues to sustain me during periods of lower confidence, is being awarded a Sally Jefferson Award in recognition of scholarship at the Faculty of Arts Awards Ceremony in early 2006. Not too shabby for a high school drop-out!

Critical thinking, empathy, personal bias recognition, life-long learning and social justice are just a few of the skills and values that I’ve carried from my studies and have applied to my work over the last 20 years in not-for-profit social services, community development, and art.

Amongst other roles, I am currently an art instructor with the City of Kitchener, teaching Watercolour for Wellness classes.