Erin Mahony, 21, of Whiting graduates this May with a bachelor’s degree in biology and minors in psychology, chemistry and mathematics.

A top student, with an impressive 3.95 grade point average, the future doctor is proud to announce she’ll be attending IU School of Medicine – Northwest this fall – a dream she’s had since before the day she ever set foot at IU Northwest.

While a senior at Whiting High School, Mahony attended an IU Northwest event in which prospective students could explore going from a “Freshman to Physician,” as the event was so aptly named.

“I can still recall the words of a fourth-year medical student at this event: ‘If you want to be a doctor, then this is the place for you,’ ” Mahony said. “From that moment on, everything became clear, and I felt like I had a clear path to medical school. Not only did I learn that IU Northwest had the best science professors, but I also figured out how comfortable I felt in the classrooms.”

So when Mahony enrolled at IU Northwest after high school, she knew a biology degree would prepare her well for the intensity of medical school. But she didn’t stop there. She knew that her preparation for becoming a doctor would involve taking advantage of every opportunity.

“I felt that my extracurricular activities were an important aspect of my college education,” Mahony explains, “By serving in multiple capacities at IU Northwest, I was able to grow as an individual and leader.”

Those activities included: president of the Pre-Professional Studies Club; senior representative of the Student Government Association; member of the Student Alumni Association; a leader for the New Student Orientation; and a participant in the IUSM-NW Summer Research Internship Program and International Human Cadaver Prosection Program.

“It was a constant struggle to stay ahead of everything that my major required,” Mahony says, “but with the support of my Lord, family, boyfriend, friends, professors, and two cute dogs, I managed to pull through!”

She did so with honors, receiving awards from the Tri-Beta Biology Honors Society, the Pre-Professional Studies Club, the International Human Cadaver Prosection Program, and was named an outstanding student in both biochemistry and biology.

Mahony says that earning scholarships to attend IU Northwest played a role in her success.

”It means the world to me that I was able to devote my time to my studies, extracurricular activities, and volunteering because of IU’s generous donors. As a scholarship recipient, I felt encouraged and motivated to achieve my goal of attending medical school and becoming a physician. I am very grateful for everything and cannot wait to give back to my community and help others in need.”

About the Class of 2018: Indiana University Northwest will confer 777 degrees at the 52nd Annual Commencement ceremonies on May 10, 2018. The Class of 2018 will collectively receive 49 associate’s degrees, 638 bachelor’s degrees and 90 master’s degrees. The oldest student graduating is 62 years old and the youngest is 19. More than 70 percent of the graduating class is female.