Crystal McDonald

What years did you attend Friends University?
2000-2004

Why did you choose Friends University?
I wanted a smaller college that was close to home and somewhere I could get involved in the campus life.

Who influenced you most during your time at Friends?
Betsy Ross – She taught me to think outside the box and to be myself.

Share your best college memory while at Friends.
Being involved in Student Government I was able to go to Atlanta and Washington DC.  Those experiences and memories I will never forget. The friendships that were created and the life lessons I learned were much greater then anything I could have experienced on my own. I will also never forget my 2 weeks in London during my senior year earning World Culture Credit. Traveling abroad, experiencing things I never would have dreamed of and really stepping outside my comfort zone for the first time shaped my love for travel. These experiences truly changed my life.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at Friends?
Don’t be afraid to try new things, meet new people and step out of your comfort zone. You are only there for a short period, make the most of it!

Describe Friends University in three words.
Family – Rewarding – Unforgettable

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Winning the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award of the Year

How did your education at Friends prepare you for what you are doing today?
My education had been a building block for everything I have done. Relationships I built, skill sets I learned and the wealth of knowledge has been priceless.

What advice would you give current students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
Marketing/Business/Entrepreneurship is never going away. There will never be computers running a business or marketing a company. If anything we need more entrepreneurs in this world who can think smarter and more creatively than the next person!