Wheatfield's MacKenzie Patterson co-valedictorian of Detroit Mercy graduating class
May 16—When MacKenzie Patterson was 11 years old, a dermatologist noticed a small spot on her mother's body. She was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
"Having something like that happen in your life opens your eyes to other things," Patterson said, with the doctor taking good care of her mother. "After that, I wanted to learn more about science and medicine."
For Patterson of Wheatfield, that experience sent her on a path that led her to be a co-valedictorian for the University of Detroit Mercy's Class of 2024. She represented the College of Engineering & Science, with the other co-valedictorian representing the College of Liberal Arts.
"It's one of those things you don't think is going to happen," Patterson said. She was nervous about giving a speech during the commencement ceremony but felt prepared for it.
Detroit Mercy is a Catholic institution sponsored by the Society of Jesus and Sisters of Mercy, whose main campus is about 15 minutes northwest of downtown Detroit.
A biology major in the pre-med program, Patterson was originally going to attend college close to home, schools like UB, Daemen or Canisius. In February 2020, she received an email from the head coach of Detroit Mercy's track team, encouraging her to come and visit.
"I never thought about running D-1 track and field," Patterson said. "When I went to visit, I felt this was the place for me."
Her freshman year was hardly like any other year. It was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when orientation consisted of one big outdoor meeting, those living in dorms did not have roommates, and remote learning was in place.
As the pandemic lessened and things started getting back to normal, Patterson then became more involved in joining groups and making new friends. On the track team, she ran hurdling events in 200-, 400-, and 600-meters and 4x400.
Aside from track, she was part of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society, campus ministry, sang at church services, and MEDLIFE, which raises money for medical education in Latin America and Africa.
Being a valedictorian at Detroit Mercy is not just about getting good grades, it is a holistic process involving being a good person and representing the school's Jesuit values. For Patterson, she is always trying to better herself and her surrounding community.
Patterson's future plans involve four more years of medical school, three to four years of residencies, and one more year of fellowships. While she plans on working at a medical practice or a hospital, her goal is to eventually have her own internal medicine practice in Western New York.
Her family in Wheatfield was in attendance at her graduation this past Saturday.
"My parents are very proud of me," Patterson said.
Professors and other campus faculty Patterson acknowledged having an impact on her include Dan Greig and Anna Lawler in campus ministry, Rev. Is Hendry, S.J., Michelle Andrzejak, Klaus Friedrick, Greg Grabowski, and Jacob Kagey among others.
