From authors, to musicians, to artists, to, most recently, Tom Ford’s nod to 70’s glam-rock in his Spring 2015 collection at London Fashion Week, taking inspiration from the past has always been a common concept in our society. When asked to complete an article featuring a member of the McGill community, I decided to do just that.
So often, everything in our world is about moving forward. But as so many famous individuals have demonstrated, we can gain insight from looking back. McGill alumni, Mrs. Grace Taucher, now a high school math teacher in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has proved that her experiences at McGill have taught her more than just the things she learned in the classroom. They are still a part of her life, and speaking with her taught me how lucky we are to have to opportunity to attend McGill, and that none of us should take our time here for granted.
Gabrielle Lee Gaubauer for HC McGill (HC McGill): When you were going through the application process, what led you to McGill and why did you finally choose to attend?
Grace Taucher (GT): I applied to two schools: McGill and Concordia. I wanted to also go to Kingston. Location and cost were key to my decision. McGill had a wonderful reputation and the best engineering program in the world. Why would I go somewhere else when the best university was in my own backyard?
Kingston had an aeronautical engineering program that I wanted but I could not afford the living cost. Fortunately, I was accepted to McGill. The choice was easy.
HC McGill: What activities were you involved in, on or off-campus, during your time at McGill?
GT: My most rewarding experience was being the Engineering Student Union (ESU) vice president my last year. I participated in and helped organize many activities such as:
- Ice skated at the rink
- Played hockey in an intramural league
- Pub Crawls
- Flag Football
- Wine and Cheeses
- Engineering Dances
- Redmen Football games
- Represented McGill at Engineering Conference in Vancouver, B.C.
HC McGill: What advice do you have for young women about making the most of their time at McGill?
GT: First of all, get involved. Women should actively pursue and participate in activities of their choice. This creates a network of friends and colleagues that you will rely on during and after school. Be that girl!
Number two: Get a male friend you can trust. I had a wonderful male friend who kept me out of trouble, walked me home, defended me and just generally had my back.
HC McGill: What year did you graduate and from what program?
GT: I graduated in January of 1984 because I went an extra semester. My class graduated in 1983. I have a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering.
HC McGill: What was your first job once you graduated? How did your time at McGill prepare you for this experience?
GT: My first job was with Procter & Gamble in Hamilton, Ontario. Unfortunately, this was a bad experience that I was not prepared for. I learned a lot about myself that I did not know at McGill. At McGill I was surrounded by caring individuals. I was not expecting the shark tank that I dove into.
HC McGill: What lessons did you learn, inside or out of the classroom, at McGill that have followed you through your entire career to today?
GT: Pick your friends carefully and work hard all the time. My best friends were at McGill and I still keep in touch with some of them. One of my biggest regrets, looking back, is that I wish I would have worked harder at McGill. I enjoyed my time a little too much. I should have learned to apply myself more.
HC McGill: Closing comments about anything regarding your time at McGill or beyond?
McGill was the most wonderful experience. The friends I made and teachers who cared made it home. I received a great education. I always tell people that it takes great discipline and focus to graduate from a university that is in the middle of the most wonderful city in the world. McGill’s curriculum, although challenging, struck a great balance between getting a quality education and quality of student life.
Images obtained from:
Montour High School Yearbook 2014, Studio Ten Photography
http://brianbusby.blogspot.ca/2014/01/senator-linda-frums-mcgill-univers…