Sutter McQuillan: Building Community Far From Home
- Major: Engineering First-Year Program
- Hometown: Sydney, Australia
- Personal NC State bucket list goal: Participate in undergraduate research
If becoming an NC State freshman were like attending a high school reunion, Sutter McQuillan would contend for a “traveled the longest distance to get here” award.
McQuillan hails from Sydney, Australia. At Cammeraygal High School, he served as captain, lead driver and media representative of the internationally competitive school robotics team; mentored younger students as a peer support leader; and coached a community basketball team.
“I want to know I made a difference.”
As school prefect of well-being, he led initiatives on everything from mental health to anti-bullying. He received a North Shore Future Leader award from a member of the Australian House of Representatives.
How did he end up in Raleigh?
Both of McQuillan’s parents grew up in the United States and he was born in California, moving to Australia as a toddler. He long dreamed of attending college in his native country and got serious about the idea around his sophomore year.
He wanted a large university, he said, with a strong engineering reputation, big athletics program and clear sense of community and support. He applied to the Park Scholarships, making his second visit to Raleigh for finalist interview weekend.
“Once I got the scholarship, I was 100% committed to NC State,” McQuillan said. “I was already very high on it, but that totally sealed the deal.”
He is already busy with the University Honors Program, intramural soccer and basketball, and a built-in community of Park Scholars.
“I’m considering mechanical and industrial engineering and doing something in robotics or manufacturing,” he said. “I also love talking to people and building community. I’d like to become people-focused with an engineering vibe. I want to know I made a difference.”
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