Why We Miss Mac

April 23, 2020 | 1:00 PM
Luis Carbajal '20, Psychology (Pre-Occupational Therapy) Major

Luis Carbajal ’20 was interning in the Social Work Department this spring when schools and colleges across the country were encouraged to move to remote learning due to the coronavirus outbreak. As part of his internship, he was given the task of reaching out to students and checking-in on them. During his conversations with the students, he noticed how—even though they’re all struggling with remote learning and the boredom that social distancing brings—they’ve realized they’re all still connected and the MacFam has an unbreakable bond.

Below are quotes gathered by Luis from the students he’s been able to stay in contact with. Each student expresses what they are missing most about their MacMurray campus and community.

“Man, I miss Jens breakfast burritos.” – Garrick Adams
“Missing all my people!!!” – Brooke Allen
“The thing I miss the most about Mac is my friends. I made lifelong friends in my short two years there and I will miss them so much as we all go our separate ways.” – Rachel Allen
“The people that I met. I met my new family and will always remember and cherish those times together. I will also miss my professors; they were there every step of the way with us and still are during this time, always looking out for their students. Everybody was so kind, and I will always love my MacFam.” – Haley Alt
“The family-oriented community. The professors, athletic department, housekeeping crew, cooks, student life, and many others all made each of us feel like we were at home. I will miss having that second family that I can always count on and that I know will hold me accountable. I will miss walking down the sidewalks and seeing everyone smile and say hi in passing. Overall, I will miss my MACFAM!” – Lauren Anderson
“Honestly I miss all my friends that I made through my four years and it really sucks because we weren’t able to say bye.” – Marcus Atkinson
“The environment and feeling like a family I have with friends.” – Braedyn Ayers
“I miss seeing my friends every day.” – Janelle Benson
“I miss the amazing memories with my friends and Louie.” – Niah Bevolo
“I’m gonna miss the psychology professors and the people I’ve become close with. The atmosphere at Mac was a family kind of atmosphere and I loved being able to know everyone and say hi to people while walking to class. The people at Mac really made it feel like a second home.” – Lauren Blake
“I miss having the freedom to do what I want and see my friends.” – Evan Bolwerk
“I miss making funny moments with people or long talks at lunch and dinner.” – Phil Bowen
“Most definitely the guys and playing baseball.” – Charlie Brauch
“The people that it brought together. I made so many friends that had varying backgrounds and everyone you met was special in their own way. MacMurray was a place where everyone became a family and really truly cared for each other!” – Kaitlyn Brown
“The love for the college we all shared that brought us all closer to each other, making most of us friends and acquaintances.” – Drew Burwinkel
“I miss all my friends and the weekly routine I had.” – Luis Carbajal
“I miss the Mac Fam that was more than just a phrase, and the people who made it so great.” – Alyssa Davis
“The people that I made lifelong friends with, as well as my football team and grinding every day to get better in the weight room or on the field.” – Derrick Derr
“I miss not being able to hang out and spend time with my best friends. I miss playing soccer for my coach and being with my teammates, and I miss being with my professors and bosses.” – Maggie Doss
“I miss being able to live with my best friends and having them all in one spot.” – Gretchen Durbala
“Getting to see the people that I made deep and real connections with every day. I miss getting to create those happy and long-lasting memories with the people on campus.” – Kayla Enochs
“My friends, man.” – Brantley Estes
“My friends and playing soccer for the school.” – Bryce Etling
“I miss being around my friends. I miss the independence and being able to see people whenever. I also miss the professors, especially Joe and Ghoncheh.” – Meg Evans
“The people. The people shaped the college and made it stand out from other schools. That includes students, staff, and professors.” – John Fink
“I miss the faculty members and students. They were so genuine, supportive, caring, and loving. They were the reason Mac felt like a home away from home.” – Kamryn Flesner
“Hanging out with the soccer team, because we were getting closer as a group, and working with the team as well.” – Josmar Gaona
“I miss the people.” – Manny Green
“I miss the people and being able to walk next door to my best friends' room. Going to sporting events as well. I just miss it all. I miss MacFam.” – Brooke Hadley
“Thursday nights and hanging out with friends, creating memories.” – Josh Hamlin
“I miss the MacFam. Everyone on campus not only acted like we were family, but they showed it through their actions and their hearts.” – Hannah Harbaugh
“I miss the people. There’s no feeling quite like the feeling you could have while at MacMurray. The professors cared about you. The bonds made between your teammates is unforgettable. Even just people in the dorms or that you would casually see while walking around campus made everyone feel welcomed.” – Emma Harris
“The community and definitely going out to the crab races on Thursday.” – Matt Heren
“I miss the friends I made throughout the years and the great times that we had together enjoying laughs and jokes. I also miss the sport that I enjoy playing and everything that came with it.” – Annahi Hernandez
“Crab races and spending time with friends in general, and also volleyball games/practices.” – Caitlyn Hoene
“My friends.” – Oswald Hountondji
“The family atmosphere. Everyone was friendly and, overall, the feeling of all the good aura about Mac.” – Dylan Jenkins
“I miss my teammates.” – Abbi Jett
“Being around the people I consider my second family. It hurts knowing I won’t be able to see everyone I care about again.” – Lindsey Johnston
“The friends I’ve made on and off the field, how the professors would always want to help us succeed, and how we all developed a friendship.” – Erik Juarez
“I mostly miss my friends/students and professors. I miss being a hallway away from my favorite people.” – Ravin Kibbons
“The people!! I really made some of the greatest friends and I loved all my professors.” – Kourtney Knecht
“I miss the people. We were a group of friends who played soccer and became a family. We carried each other on and off the field. I miss playing with all my peoples.” – Krystal Kohenskey
“The people. If it wasn’t for the people (students, staff, faculty) I would have never stayed there for four years. I truly met some of my lifelong friends at Mac.” – Emily Kolo
“I miss the people, lifelong friendships, the great faculty and staff, and the family that was built in my time at Mac. It’s a place that isn’t the prettiest on the outside, but the people there are unlike anywhere I’ve ever been!” – Ian Leib
“I miss being around people and having people you know close by.” – Michael Mahung
“I miss all my friends and professors I’ve come to know. They all played a major role in my life the past two years, and I miss all the adventures and memories we shared.” – Kaylee McClanahan
“My peoples.” – Hailey Meyers
“The friendships I made. I absolutely miss the atmosphere of a small college where everyone knew everyone. It doesn’t matter what sports team you were on, what major you were in, what group you were a part of—we were a family.” – Cady Moore
“The classes man. I hate this online stuff; I can’t focus, and I get lost. The professors have helped a lot with that for me.” – Zander Moore
“I miss how close you’re able to get with everyone around campus, it’s like a big family. I also miss the close friends I made playing soccer because if I didn’t play, I wouldn’t have gotten as close as I did with everyone.” – Chris Morenz
“I miss the people, classmates and professors specifically. Mac was almost like a security blanket. There was always someone there that could relate to you or just talk.” – Ali Morton
“I miss the close-knit circles. I miss having friendships that were far from home but felt like I’ve had for a lifetime.” – Noah Pierce
“I miss getting to see the people I care about every day. I miss going to school to hang out with coaches. I miss my people.” – Keegan Potter
“What I miss most is the closeness and family feel of the campus. We all were there for one another and that includes faculty and staff. It’s sad to see such a great family have to split up but it’s great to see all of these Facebook groups being created to share memories with recent alumni and even past alumni. This is the example of what I’m talking about with the Mac Fam. I don’t even know the alumni from the 80s, 90s or before but we all have one great thing in common—MacMurray. Which makes us family.” – Judah Renfro
“I miss living right next door to my best friends the most.” – Maeghanne Roemer
“What I’ll miss most is the memories I won’t get to experience. My mom graduated from MacMurray’s nursing program. I’ve been looking forward to coming back and seeing myself and my mom on the nursing wall since I started college. I hate that I won’t have that opportunity anymore.” – Naujahlek Sanders
“The people.” – Jeremiah Sausaman
“I miss the people I was around.” – Brendan Schanz
“I miss my soccer team and the family atmosphere around campus.” – Katelynn Seagrave
“Honestly, I really miss the independence I had (especially being from out of state). I also miss the intense but fun nights of futsal with all the guys.” – Carlos Silva
“Hanging out with friends and basketball.” – Ian Smith
“Being able to see my friends every day. Also, I miss being able to attend class and receive lectures from the professors, as well as having all the independence I had while living on campus versus being back home.” – Kyndal Smith
“I miss the ability to see the friends I have on a daily basis.” – Peyton Spitzner
“Definitely the people because of the many relationships I built in my time there.” – Josiah Spivey
“Personally, I just miss the family feeling. It felt like a second home.” – Abby Stotler
“Definitely the people! Mac fam and the professors.” – Georgia Suau
“I really miss the community we were. Everyone was always super welcoming, and you could say hi to anyone. This ranged from professors to other students to D-Hall workers. We were a family and a community and that’s probably what I love the most about Mac and will miss.” – Hannah Sweeney
“The people, the professors, and the night life.” – Alec Taylor
“Not to sound cliché but the people without a doubt.” – Chey Taylor
“The crab races, soccer, the friendships I made, seeing Joana every day.” – Jacob Trim
“Crab races, friends, sports, and library perks.” – Corbin Tullis
“The thing I’m going to miss the most about Mac is how much of a family it was. The term Mac Fam is an understatement. Wherever I was on campus there was always someone to talk to with a smile. I felt so at home. I met all of my best friends and so many other lifelong friends. Mac was just a bunch of great people. There’s no place like it.” – Alaina Vance
“Always knowing a familiar face when walking through campus.” – Isabella Vandyke
“The people and family dynamic across campus.” – Zach Vespa
“I miss being around my friends every day. I miss crab races at Don’s. I also miss being in class with all my classmates and professors, able to have the social interaction. Also, to have a good laugh.” – Olivia Wall
“Being able to walk by someone and know who they are because of how small and close our campus is. I also miss having my friend across the suite and being able to talk and laugh just by having the bathroom doors open.” – Becky Wellman
“I miss just about everything at Mac. I miss the family atmosphere, the professors, the campus. I miss being with my friends in class and I miss our Senior year shenanigans.” – Kacie Whalen
“I miss being able to see my friends whenever I want.” – Daisy Whitaker
“I’m going to miss my friends and the professors. They all did so much for me in my time at Mac.” – Taren Williamson
“The people. The students at Mac were some of the best people I’ve ever met in my life.” – Ashley Wittekind
“I miss professor Ghoncheh, all the people and friends, and being independent from family.” – Cody Zulkowski