Kendall Shipp '13

What year did you graduate from St. George’s?

2013

Where did you attend college?

Auburn University

Where do you live and what is your profession?
While at Auburn, I majored in industrial design because I wanted to design products, devices, objects and service that millions of people use every day. I live in Charlotte, NC, where I recently took a new job as a design engineer for Safewaze, a fall protection equipment company. Prior to Safewaze, I designed commercial custom playgrounds for a company called GameTime. What I enjoy most about my chosen career is that I get to design a wide variety of products across many different industries.

How did St. George’s prepare you for college, career, and life?
St. George’s prepared me in a lot of ways. Because there is such a focus on writing at St. George’s, I could literally knock out any type of writing assignment in college—in no time. To this day, that skill helps me in my professional life. The less tangible—but equally important—way St. George’s prepared me for life was teaching me about the importance of building strong relationships with the people around you. I was surrounded by some of the best faulty, staff, and peers during my time there and that really helped shape me into the person I am today.

What activities/sports/clubs, etc., were you involved while at St. George’s?

I played football, basketball, and ran track. I also was involved in student government, Young Life, peer leadership council, and even sang in the chorus for a year.

Which teacher had the greatest impact on you and why?
Luther Mercer was my most impactful teacher at St. George’s. Not only because he was passionate about teaching and well liked by all, but because it was the first time in my K-12 years that I had a teacher who was a Black male and looked like me. Representation matters, and Luther was the best there was. To this day, he still keeps in touch and still teaches me things. But the best part about St. George's is that there were many influential teachers just like Luther.

What is your favorite St. George’s memory?

My favorite memory is a tie between winning the state championship in football in 2011 and going to Tanzania with Luther and a group of my classmates. Both were unforgettable, life-changing experiences.

What advice would you give to St. George’s students or young alumni today?
My main advice would be enjoy and use your time while you still have it. You are incredibly blessed to call a place like St. George’s home. Use your time and resources to follow your passions. As a designer, I was taught to look at the world from different perspectives, with an open mind. St. George’s was the place where this curiosity was first cultivated and nourished. So, you’re in the right place, even when it may sometimes seem you aren't. Keep pushing through, find the thing that inspires you and run with it.