Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Honors student and SGA member Egan Guillet is on the path to becoming a nurse practitioner.
Full Name: Egan Matthew Guillet.
Age: 20.
Hometown and Residence: Warner Robins.
High School: “I graduated from Warner Robins High School with honors. While I was there, I was in the symphonic band as a saxophonist until my senior year, in the honors program, heavily involved in the AP Program by taking at least eight AP courses, and I was the assistant project chairman of the French Club, a member of the National French Honor Society, Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian athletes, the National Forensics League, the Student Leadership Council, and a candidate for class president. During my high school years I also attended the 2008 Beta Convention in Atlanta, participated in Le Grand Concours for French Club and earned Certificates of Success (in French I&II) and a Certificate of Honor for French I on Le Grand Concours.”
Current Employment: “I'm a full-time student. However, I do have enough time on my hands to work a part-time job over at Chick-fil-A in south Warner Robins.”
Degree Objective: Bachelor of science of nursing.
Class Rank: Junior.
Activities: “I'm currently in the Honors Program here at Macon State and am a member of the Student Government Association. I also act as an occasional student teacher at Warner Robins High School, mainly to teach students about certain important art periods in my old Humanities class. Plus, I help my dad teach basic martial arts techniques and philosophy every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon in his gung fu class.”
Career Goals: “Simply put, I have a natural knack and passion for helping and healing people. I actually enjoy it, and I'm always willing to learn new ways to help and heal others. Since this is the case, why not turn this passion into an enjoyable career? That's mainly why I want to earn my bachelor's in nursing at Macon State, then move on to graduate school to earn my master's to become a nurse practitioner.”
He chose Macon State College because … “Mainly because of its close location to my home, its quality education for a pretty reasonable tuition range, smaller class sizes, and because of the fact it has a challenging but very rewarding nursing program.”
The one thing that surprised him about Macon State was … “The aesthetics of the Macon Campus itself. It's a very pretty campus with several great vantage points overlooking the lake. With the right light and angle, one can see some incredibly beautiful lakefront scenes. Plus, having numerous curving pathways surrounding the lake adds to the overall academic but natural feel of the campus.”
His favorite professor is … “Actually, there are two professors I'd like to list as my favorites. First, I'd like to mention Dr. Jeffrey Williams, my anatomy and physiology I instructor. He's a funny and down-to-earth guy who also is undoubtedly an expert in his field and in what he teaches. He knows his stuff, and he's willing to help and share his knowledge with his students, myself included. Not only that, but he'll actually give students pointers on what to watch out for, how to better remember things, and he'll actually simplify complex physiological processes so they are more readily understood by his students. He's an amazing professor who genuinely cares about his students. The other professor I'd like to mention is none other than Dr. Clay Morton. I had him for Honors Perspectives in Narrative, and I quickly came to know him as a professor who's just as passionate about discussing philosophy and Jungian theories regarding myths as Dr. Williams is willing to run through the process of muscular contraction with students who need clarification on it. He's got a great sense of humor and a welcome willingness to engage in intellectual discussions about philosophy, literary/art theories - you name it. And, of course, there's a certain sense of humanity about him too. Though he's head of the Honors Program and a professor of higher level English/Literature courses, he's a really nice and down-to-earth personality that you can't help but get along with.”
His favorite place to study is … “The upstairs area of my house in general. See, I learn through just about all of my senses; I learn by reading up on my material, I learn by listening to what my professors and peers have to say on important subjects, and I learn kinesthetically by handwriting notes or pacing around and literally talking myself through my subject material. Though I mainly study in my room, I've been known to drift between it, my computer station, and the upstairs game room while studying.”
One thing people don't know about him is … “I'm pretty good multitasking in my life. Despite the fact that I'm a full-time student, hold a part-time job, and spend a substantial amount of my free time studying for classes, I still find it possible to take the time to talk to old friends of mine, hang out with people, or keep up with hobbies of mine, which would include gaming, playing my saxophone when I've got the chance, and practicing gung fu.”
His friends make fun of him because … “I'm their lovable and crazy ninja, kung fu kid, Jackie Chan, Asian Thunder, you name it. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a goofball on top of that. But hey, where's the fun in life if you always take everything seriously?”
The one person he’d most like to meet is … “I'd most like to meet the sage Lao Tse, the earliest known and recognized father of the spiritual philosophy known as Taoism. I've found a lot of wisdom and truth in his words, so I think it'd be interesting to have a full blown conversation with him about life, the eternal Way, and his take on these things.”
Five years from now he sees himself … “Hopefully, I'll be initiating my career as a nurse practitioner by then. Not only would I be helping people and enjoying it, but I'd be making myself a good living at it. Hopefully I'll have a private residence of some kind to call my own, too.”