During her December graduation ceremony from Texas A&M University, Megan Dabney ’24 had the honor of leading the procession through Reed Arena and across the stage with the gonfalon, a symbol representing the interconnectivity of diverse disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her selection as this semester’s gonfalonier from a pool of 940 ArtSci graduates is a testament to her hard work and perseverance: She graduated summa cum laude from the Department of Communications and Journalism with an array of experiences to show for her time at Texas A&M.
Used at commencements and other special events, gonfalons are ceremonial banners of medieval origins that represent an institution of learning. Physical representations of the celebration of achievement, they are mounted on poles and carried by honored students and faculty.
A Marquez, Texas, native, Dabney was thrilled to explore the opportunities available in College Station, a location much larger than her 181-person hometown.
“I always wanted to go to Texas A&M,” said Dabney, who is the first in her family to attend college. “Anytime my mom and I needed anything, we would go to Bryan, which is about an hour from Marquez. I remember passing through, and I would always confidently say ‘I’m going to Texas A&M one day’ as we drove by campus.”
Before attending college, Dabney received an associate’s degree in communication studies at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas.
“I originally wanted to be a veterinarian because of my passion for helping animals,” Dabney recalls. “But after taking my first biology class and struggling, I decided to pursue a communications degree since I had already been minoring in it. I’ve had a deep love for journalism since originally studying it in high school, so after graduating from Blinn, I enrolled at Texas A&M. Through the University Studies Program, I was able to tailor my education and concentrate in journalism, allowing me to pursue my passion for writing.”
Merging Passions
Throughout her university experiences, Dabney combined her passion for animal rights with her love for writing. Many of her professors encouraged her to advocate for animals and inspire change in the community through the power of storytelling.
During a first-year journalism class, Dabney participated in a broadcast segment about the Aggieland Humane Society in Bryan, Texas, and reported on the Texas A&M Equestrian Team. Further, a summer internship at Insite Magazine also honed her interviewing and creative storytelling skills.
“I had the opportunity to do a lot of writing, including a narrative on the Best Friend Adoption Weekend I wrote to help promote $10 animal adoptions,” she said.
Among these projects was her final journalism feature on Six Kittens Rescue, a volunteer-based organization in Bryan, Texas dedicated to providing specialized care to local at-risk felines. She interviewed the founders and workers of the organization, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of animal protection.
“When I reached out to the founders and people on the board, they were all supportive of my project,” she said. “They helped me demonstrate that the City of College Station has a tremendous need for animal control and rescue services. I’m proud of my piece as it highlights the urgency of these services in our local community.”
Photography began as a hobby for Dabney but evolved at Texas A&M as an important asset to her journalism career.
“I hope to continue practicing photography,” she said. “I learned more about photographic storytelling through Dr. Tom Burton’s visual journalism class and it inspired me to enroll in an agricultural photography class with Dr. Tobin Redwine in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.”
Recently, Dabney volunteered at a local Pet Smart in Waxahachie, Texas, where cats were available for adoption through New Life Cat Rescue. Through opportunities like this coupled with her nine cats and one kitten at home, she has plenty of chances to practice capturing felines in action.
Overcoming Barriers With Support And Determination
Although Dabney’s academic career was full of successes, it was also full of challenges. She has been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning or development.
“Because of my ADHD, I had to work hard for everything I achieved,” she said. “I remember thinking I would never be able to graduate, but here I am — not only graduating summa cum laude but also leading the procession as gonfalonier.”
She is grateful for the support of Texas A&M, who she believes helped contribute to her accomplishments.
“The Texas A&M’s Disability Resources team gave me strong support by ensuring I had ample time and a less distracting environment during exams,” she said.
Dabney also credits her mother, Barbara Wedhorn, for being “my greatest cheerleader.”
“She is a pillar of support who is always there to encourage me, even if she may not fully understand what I’m going through,” she said. “Even during the darkest days at Texas A&M when I assumed I might flunk out, she always told me, ‘Don’t give up, Megan. Just keep going!’”
I always wanted to go to Texas A&M...I remember passing through [Bryan], and I would always confidently say ‘I’m going to Texas A&M one day’ as we drove by campus.
Dabney’s Journey To Make A Difference
Her post-graduation plans include an internship with the Windham School District in Huntsville, Texas, which operates at 100 facilities within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to educate men and women residing in correctional facilities. Dabney will work in the communications office writing for The Echo, the department’s newspaper.
“This internship will be another great opportunity for my writing career as I continue to develop my skills and interests,” she said.
In the future, Dabney dreams of opening the first animal shelter in Leon County, where her hometown is located, and continuing her news reporting to advocate for homeless animals and rescue resources.
“Fostering and rescuing animals are both so rewarding to me,” she said. “Animals cannot advocate for themselves, so I want to be a voice for the voiceless and ensure they are given the happy and safe homes they deserve. Because of the skills I developed at Texas A&M, I have the chance to do some real good in this area, and any other opportunity that comes my way.”
And those were skills she developed vigorously and fearlessly. As a first-generation college student, Dabney had the daunting task of navigating one of the largest public universities in the nation without the knowledge and experience of a parent, sibling or close relative.
“My graduation from Texas A&M is a big feat for me and for my entire family,” she said. “I’m thankful for those in my life who supported me. Because of their faith, I was able to graduate, and I have the degree to show for it.”