Randolph-Macon College student Farah Hatoum ’18 first visited the college when she was a freshman in high school. That visit gave Hatoum, who was born in Lebanon and lives in Richmond, Virginia, her first glimpse into RMC’s vibrant community. Several years later, she again toured the campus, this time meeting with Josh Quinn, the pre-med careers advisor in The Edge, RMC’s four-year career program.

“I quickly realized that RMC was the school for me,” says Hatoum, who has had a lifelong interest in medicine. “I also met Dr. James Darden Jr. ’54, a surgeon, and I spoke with Biology Professor James Foster. After that I knew I wanted to be part of RMC’s friendly campus.”

Generous Support
Hatoum, a biology and Spanish major and chemistry minor, is the recipient of RMC’s Dr. and Mrs. Marshall and Alice McCabe Pre-Medical Scholarship, which benefits a pre-med student.

“I also chose RMC because of its pre-med program, and because of the generous scholarship support I was offered, including the McCabe Scholarship,” says Hatoum, who is also a recipient of a Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG). TAG provides annual grants to Virginia residents who are full-time students at an eligible private college or university. In 2015-2016, approximately 23,000 Virginia residents will receive non-need based tuition grants.

Passion for Giving Back
Hatoum plans to have a medical career because she wants to make a difference in the lives of others— especially children. Her post-RMC plans include medical school and a career in pediatrics or neonatology.

“I have wanted to be a doctor ever since I was a child,” she says. “I can’t help but smile when I am working with children or newborns, such as when I volunteer at local clinics and hospitals. Giving back to the community through the field of medicine is so rewarding.” Hatoum volunteered at Richmond’s Crossover Clinic by translating for doctors and patients. She has also been a member of the RMC Emergency Medical Services Rescue Squad since 2015.

Inspiration
Hatoum is passionate about her majors and minor, and she’s setting her sights on putting all three to good use in her future career. Her Spanish major will give her a unique edge in her vocation.

“The medical field is in need of doctors who are bilingual,” says Hatoum, who is actually trilingual: she also speaks Arabic. “Spanish Professor Laurie Massery inspired my love for Spanish; I’m especially interested in the linguistics and phonetics aspects of the language. I have taken two of her classes and she is a phenomenal professor.”

Ultimately, Hatoum wants a career in which she, too, can inspire others.

“I want to make my mark on the world by doing all I can to make sure that children are healthy and happy,” says Hatoum, who several years ago helped create a non-profit organization that helps children who have leukemia. “RMC gives students the opportunity to discover what they love and who they are. I’m grateful to have discovered my passions here.”