Brendan Hordichuk: Heart of Gold
Transforming Lives: Moving Beyond is a testimonial series written by AU students and alumni who want to acknowledge how AU has helped shape their lives.
It’s a space for those who want to thank the people who have helped to support and transform their AU experience to achieve their greatest successes; all while looking forward to their future educational and personal potential.
Their story is worth shouting from the rooftops! Have an inspiring story of your own to share? Email us! We’d love to hear it.
Why did my husband choose AU?
He chose AU so he could continue to provide for us, his family, all while working towards setting himself up for greater opportunities. AU has opened the floodgates of opportunity for so many who are trying to balance a full-time job, family life, and a career change. With 10+ years of working in Oil & Gas, this Dad decided it was time to further his education, whether that results in a career change or position change, only time will tell.
He spends many hours every month travelling by bus or plane, to and from work on one week away, one week at home basis. Previously, this “free” time was spent watching movies, but he soon realized this time could be better spent. So, with a strong desire to learn more about and understand the science behind the human body, he decided to apply to the Faculty of Science at AU. Soon after he was accepted, he enrolled in his first two courses, English and Statistics.
When at home, his day begins at the crack of dawn where he squeezes in some study time before the rest of the house starts stirring. Then he morphs into the chef, the laundromat, the diaper changer, the tree planter, the house cleaner, the lawn mower, the bedtime story reader, the playhouse builder, and well, you get the point… he is BUSY. Once it is naptime (for his little), he heads straight to his laptop and hits the books.
Reach for the stars
If you know this Dad, you know he has a heart of gold that he wears on his sleeve. He will literally give the last shirt in his closest to anyone. Whether it is emotionally supporting a friend in need or anyone in need for that matter. He never puts himself first, nor does he ever seek appreciation or recognition for his efforts. His dream is to one day become a general practitioner, so he can help others and give back to his community. When my Baba (grandma) was fighting her last weeks of Cancer, he helped her move around the condominium, and he even offered to rub her feet. She giddily accepted. He says, even if he does not reach his goal of becoming a doctor, the best thing that will come out of all of this is our son will see the importance of education and learning, and that it can be a lifelong thing.
I am nominating this Dad because he goes to the end of the earth for his family; the time he spends away from us missing so many of his kid’s “firsts”, only to be able to provide the life that he does for us. I admire his work ethic and his “can do” attitude, and when he says he is going to do something, he just does it. He literally reaches for the stars, and he gets them. That is how I know he will reach his goal, someday. And, this is why he is worth celebrating. Not just today, but every day.
