Our latest alumni Q&A features recent graduate BJ Durham, a Ph.D. candidate at NC State University's Counseling and Counselor Education program. Durham, a former Yellow Jacket men's basketball player, received his bachelor's degree in psychology and his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Waynesburg University.
Q: What are you currently studying, and what is your current location?
I am currently getting a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education in the College of Education at North Carolina State University. I currently live in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Q: Can you describe your typical day?
On a typical day I work as a graduate assistant for the College of Education in the Office of Graduate Student Support Services throughout the day. I will typically get to NC State around 10:00. In that role, I usually have a program or workshop that I put on that is beneficial to navigating graduate school for graduate students in the late morning or at noon. Those workshops can be about anything from learning the process of publishing in a scholarly journal to budgeting on a graduate student income. Another part of my day is just interacting with as many graduate students in the College of Education as I can, and sometimes interacting with potential incoming students via phone, email or in person and sometimes having lunch with them somewhere in Raleigh.
After my day working as the Graduate Assistant, I head over to the Community Counseling Education & Research Center that is run through the Counseling program of NC State, and I supervise master's students seeing clients for a few hours. Once 4:30 or 5:00 comes around, I usually have a class that lasts until 7:15. After my class, I usually will head to the gym to play basketball for a few hours and don’t get back to my house until about 9:30 or so to finally relax.
Q: Can you describe your time at Waynesburg and how it shaped you as a person?
My time at Waynesburg went by way too fast, but I gained life lessons and wisdom from my time being a student there. Waynesburg allowed for me to truly become the person I am today. I owe a thank you to all the students I had the opportunity to learn with, to some amazing professors, and definitely to all my friends and teammates I had over the years. My time was an experience I could not get anywhere else, and I am grateful that my 17-year-old self chose this school in Western PA.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Waynesburg student?
It is hard to have one favorite memory, but if I could give a general time when I always had a good time it would be just hanging out with friends in both Martin Hall and Willison Hall. Also, I would have to say playing in Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse to a packed gym.
Q: Where has life taken you since graduating from Waynesburg University?
Since I graduated Waynesburg University with both my undergraduate degree in psychology and my master’s in clinical mental health counseling, I was admitted into NC State University’s Ph.D. program of Counseling and Counselor Education. I am now living in Raleigh, which has been a dream of mine since being a kid, and I am currently a second-year doctoral student.
Q: Why is staying connected with your alma mater important to you?
Staying connected to my alma mater is important to me for a few different reasons. One reason is because I know that where I am today and who I am today would not be possible without the experience I had at Waynesburg University. Every person I was in contact with while being at Waynesburg University had a purpose, and even if I didn’t understand that purpose, it got me to where I am. Another reason is because I think it is important to allow the next generation of Waynesburg University students to understand and hear all the things that can be gained from attending Waynesburg. Lastly, I like to stay connected to hear all the ways Waynesburg students are changing their communities around the world. It is a unique experience going to Waynesburg, and it is cool to find out what all is happening with that experience.
Q: Who was your favorite professor at Waynesburg, and why?
I don’t think I could say I have a favorite professor. I will say that I am very grateful for the psychology program and Dr. Jenny Jellison, Dr. Michelle Karpathian, and Dr. Keith Rieder. They were a big part of my degree and helped foster curiosity to learn and understand people. I also really enjoyed taking classes with Professor Josh Sumpter and Dr. Ezekiel Olagoke because they showed me what it was like to truly show an interest in their students beyond the classroom.
Q: What advice do you have for current students? For recent graduates?
My advice to current students is to soak up all the knowledge and experiences you are having right now. There is no experience like being in college, and there will never be another time in your life like being in college. Enjoy every moment and make memories now because it allows you to look back at them and have lifelong bonds with those involved in the story.
My advice to recent graduates is to not forget where we come from. Knowing where we come from can allow us to go so much further because we know who we are on a deeper level. Each of us chose Waynesburg University for a reason, and no matter what that reason was, it brought us together to be a part of the greater Waynesburg University family.
