Mary LaRochelle ’24, M.B.A. ’25 says she grew and learned so much during her time at Thomas College – both in athletics and academics.
“I made amazing friends and improved so much as an athlete. I even was able to accomplish several milestones in lacrosse, hitting 100 goals, draw controls, and ground balls during my senior year season. I was also privilege enough to serve as a captain for two years on the lacrosse team, and for one year on the soccer team,” she said.
In the classroom, Mary studied criminal justice-conservation law for her bachelor’s degree and this year, she is completing her MBA with a concentration in criminal justice administration.
“I have learned so much from my amazing professors here at Thomas, like Dr. Mark Marsolais, and what I have learned has fully prepared me for the field I wish to go into,” she said.
Beyond the classroom, she was able to intern with Muscongus Bay Aquaculture, an Oyster/Shellfish farm in Maine.
“This internship taught me so much about conservation efforts surrounding aquaculture. I wouldn’t have been able to find this internship and gain so much knowledge from this experience if it wasn’t for Thomas College,” said Mary.
“I am very passionate about Maine wildlife, which is why I chose the major I did. Our state has such a wide array of unique flora and fauna, and I enjoy being around all types,” she said.
Looking back on her time at Thomas College, she said it was a great environment for her: “I really love how open and accepting Thomas is. The community is really diverse. I was able to meet a lot of different people with so many different experiences than my own, and I honestly think I learned almost as much from my peers about life as I did from my professors and coaches.”
After graduation, Mary LaRochelle hopes to pursue a career in Maine wildlife conservation and to work with land-based mammals. She’ll also be coaching the JV girl’s lacrosse team at the high school she attended, Morse High School in Bath, Maine.