SPRING GRADUATE

STACY LEE MACDONALD

Graduating from Dixie State University Friday, May 6th 2016

We have three children and one niece whom we have guardianship over. My oldest lives near the university with her roommates and attends DSU. We moved into the ward about a year and half ago during Christmas.. I am originally from Mesa, AZ and my husband, Shawn, is from Hemet, CA. I served an LDS mission in Montreal, Canada French speaking and my husband served in Columbus, OH. We met at the Car Wash and the rest is history. We moved about 9 years ago from Gilbert, AZ and our old home would have been right next to the new Gilbert temple. 
However, St. George was calling our name. My car actually broke down one summer on vacation in Southern Utah and that is how St. George came to mind. We knew no one and we just up and moved and were very brave. It was the perfect solution to be in the middle of family between Arizona, California, and Utah. We have enjoyed slowing down in a smaller community and raising our children here. We love it here and consider St. George to be the Malibu of Utah. We love all that it has to offer and the beauty that resides here. Our family enjoys being outdoors and spends a lot of time boating, trail riding, and being outdoors. We consider Southern Utah to be a natural playground. 
It is an exciting week for the Macdonald family. We are celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary. My daughter and I will be receiving our degrees at DSU this week and family is traveling here to see us. My daughter is receiving her Associates of Science Degree and will be majoring in Web Development. I’m receiving my Bachelor’s of Science in Art w/ Graphic Design Emphasis Degree. 
I originally went to school to become a licensed family therapist and instead I ended up an Artist/Graphic Designer. I had worked for DCFS as a peer parent and life coach to families here in Washington County. I loved helping these families in re-unifications after being separated in the Utah Foster Care for a period that lasted five years. In addition, our family had five foster children and was heavily involved with the Utah Foster Care Foundation. After being required to take my generals and take a design class, I found myself enjoying it more than expected. A professor told me I was enjoying it a little too much and encouraged me to switch my degree. It took some time to convince my family that I could find use out of an Art degree and so I decided on an emphasis in Graphic Design. 
It has been an intense couple of years as I only had one year of college when I started two years ago. Sacrificing two beautiful summers and plowing through has been rough, but it is amazing what determination can do. It has been exciting to develop a talent that I never knew I had. Life has its definite sweet surprises and this is a gift later in life that I have been given. 
Recently, I was hired on by Dixie State University to be a part of a new division called Creative Services as a graphic designer and we were able to be a part of the new and recent branding. I love my job and love the departments that I get to work with. It has been a great opportunity to be able to use every aspect of my education.