Hello, Class of 2018!
I invite all of you to send me any information about yourselves and whatever exciting activities have taken place. Feel free to also send me any photos you may want to have published in the alumni magazine. Any little bit of news is newsworthy! Your classmates do want to hear from you and what you are doing.
LTJG Sam McDonald (mechanical engineering technology), a Belfast, ME, native, proudly serves at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron and supports versatile missions at sea and on land serving as a Naval aviator.
Sam joined the Navy four years ago after graduating from Belfast High School and UMaine. “I joined the Navy to help people and to be a pilot. I grew up listening to my grandfather’s stories of being a pilot, which inspired me to have stories of my own.”
Members of the HSC 3 not only fly but maintain helicopters that are readily available to perform many different missions at a moment’s notice. Some of the more common missions include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations and supply transport, and hunting submarines.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is getting my ‘wings of gold!’ I wanted these wings my whole life, even as a little kid. It was a combination of many struggles through life and overcoming those struggles. It has made me confident in becoming a competent naval pilot.”
Sam leaves us with an important thought, “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something, just go out and do it. If you want something, go out and get it.”
Jeff Devaughn, Jr. (education) ’20G is happy to share with us that he has begun a new position as associate director of major gifts at Boston College. “I couldn’t be more excited to continue my career here at Boston College and continue working with alumni, parents, and friends in the Midwest,” posted Devaughn. Good luck to you!
Melody Joliat (social work) ‘19G, has begun a new and challenging career at Northern Light hospital in Bangor and Cancer Care of Maine in Brewer. She recently joined the patient experience team and works closely with the nursing and social work staff to assess patient care through patient engagement, observation, and precious feedback to help find better solutions in the healthcare process.