Grace McDonnell '22

A junior at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, Grace McDonnell ‘22 is majoring in psychology with a minor in classical civilization. She recently was accepted into the Samford Masters in Social Work Fast Track program which will allow her to begin graduate school as a senior and gain work experience alongside her courses. She is looking forward to gaining hands-on experience as she pursues her dream of working as a private practice counselor. 

Looking back at her Oakcrest years, Grace is extremely thankful for the faculty members that influenced her deeply by their example. Her mentor, Mrs. Leslie Kanuch, specifically played an influential role in her life. 

“As my faculty mentor, Mrs. Kanuch pushed me to be the best version of myself in every aspect of my life,” Grace said. “If I was playing lacrosse, I was going to do it the best I could. If I was going to hangout with friends, I was going to do it with the caring spirit of Christ in myself.” 

The liberal arts formation that she received at Oakcrest, she says, has helped her find interest in several areas of her life. 

“I believe any field you go into, you need to have knowledge outside of the specifics of ‘your field.’” Grace says. “(The liberal arts) prepared me for college because I had enough information on a variety of topics so that you truly can talk to almost anyone. I have learned that everything one way or another has a point blended together, whether English, history, science, etc.” 

Because of the faith foundation that she received at Oakcrest, Grace said she was motivated to seek out Christian fellowship immediately upon arriving at Samford. 

“It helped me to surround myself with strong Christian women who I could speak about the hard topics with, and who I could pray with,” she explains. 

Grace also volunteers as a YoungLife leader at a local Catholic school, working with teenage girls as they navigate high school and their faith life. 

Although in the midst of a busy college schedule, Grace still finds time to connect with her Oakcrest friends. “Just because you go to a different school and state than your Oakcrest friends, doesn’t mean the friendship is over,” she says, as advice to the Oakie seniors. 

“Stay true to who you are,” Grace adds. “In college and beyond, you are going to meet a lot of different people, but you need to know what you really, really care about, and you need to make sure no one changes that.” 

Some of Grace’s favorite Oakcest memories include prank war with Ms. Meghan Hadley ’06, and painting the sets for the theatre productions over several Saturdays throughout her high school years. “I participated in set painting for three years, and meeting girls who I sometimes hadn’t really met before and getting to know them and grow in friendship was really special.” 

While at Oakcrest, Grace was a strong athlete with four years of swimming and lacrosse. At Samford, she was a founding member of the Samford Women’s Club Lacrosse team, now in her second year as president of the organization. 

Besides the academic, spiritual, and athletic foundations that she received at Oakcrest, Grace says that Oakcrest “fostered my love of serving others.” She ran the Service Initiative Project, Buttons and Bows, for three years. 

“One of my favorite parts of Buttons and Bows was seeing girls getting excited about learning a service project and lighting up with seeing firsthand how their impact helps others.”

This experience encouraged Grace to stay involved in her own service throughout college, specifically as her sorority’s community engagement coordinator. 

“I help oversee big service days and run monthly donation drives,” Grace explains. “This role has helped me connect with so many populations in need. From the elderly in nursing homes to children in the hospital, the homeless in Birmingham, and so many other unique organizations.”