Alexander McFarland ’22

Mathematics—Interdisciplinary

Biography

I am originally from Louisville, KY and I started at Taylor in the Fall of 2018. My experience there was wonderful and exciting, and set me up to enter a PhD program at the University of Michigan where I am pursuing research in Electrical and Computer Engineering. In particular, I am interested in the field of Quantum Computing, and I hope to investigate it from a photonics perspective in the next several years. Outside of academics, I enjoy exercising (shameless plug for TU CrossFit), hobbyist engineering projects, playing soccer, and reading about various other scientific disciplines. My family has been quite supportive to get me to the point that I am at, and I am excited to both learn and be a light as I move on in my work and studies.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

I would consider the most valuable experiences that I had at Taylor to be the ones that involved close interaction with either my friends or my professors. Some late night shenanigans with my wing mates are times that I will treasure forever. I also recall many thoughtful conversations with professors from the Math and Computer Science departments and consider these to be extremely valuable. The faculty also helped me find internships for my summers, and one of these has led to an ongoing job with Peraton Labs, which I have enjoyed a great deal. Another valuable experience from my time at Taylor was attending Exit Church with a few of my close friends over the course of many Sundays. Finally, I consider attending Silent Night with my wing, winning Airband my senior year, and putting on Zoo open house for 3 years with PDUB to be some of the greatest times I had at Taylor.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

My classes and professor interactions had an incredible impact on my professional and personal growth. I have grown exceedingly in my technical skills in mathematics, computer science, and physics. Beyond technical skills ranging from paging simulation of an operating system to contour integrals in mathematical physics, I have developed in soft skill areas as well. I have learned the importance of communication and humility when interacting with peers and professors, and I have also learned that it is wise to ask many well-reasoned questions. I have learned the importance of maintaining integrity, following through, and being willing to ask for help. Finally, I have gained some very practical experience such as doing scientific research, and working in or with several different types of companies, all thanks to the professors with whom I have interacted.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Two parts of the liberal arts education stand out to me: the lifelong pursuit of learning, and the importance of well-roundedness as a person. Each of these ideas can be applied to any discipline, and mathematics, physics, or computer engineering are no exception. The foundational core of Taylor reminds me that God's purpose for my life is to be a man of integrity, honesty, and service, no matter the area that I am working in. I understand the importance of humility in my own discipline, and I realize that I am made to be more than a worker. There are many ways that I can glorify God daily, and that will sometimes mean working late into the night, while other times it will mean spending time alone or in community away from my work environment. I am thankful that the values of lifelong learning and well-roundedness have been instilled in me by my liberal arts education at Taylor University.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

For students in my discipline, I would first say that you should be prepared to work hard and to have the humility to ask many questions. I would encourage people to find hobbies and activities outside of the discipline that are constructive and give your mind a bit of a break. For me, this means exercise and sports, and while I know not everyone is a fan of such things, physical health is an important part of mental and emotional health, particularly when you are frequently under stress. I would advise students to also be encouragers, willing to serve others even when it creates an inconvenience. Servanthood, as epitomized by Christ, is an important calling for every Christian. Additionally, be willing to seek out professors, spend time with them, and ask questions of them beyond class-related ideas. Finally, remember that it can be okay to not know, or to struggle. This is universal in technical fields such as mathematics and engineering, as these things require effort and determination.