With a love for the sciences and a commitment to serving others, DePauw senior Ethan Williams Fonner’s decision to attend medical school after graduation came as no surprise.
While a multitude of reasons inspired Williams Fonner’s career choice, his positive experiences with doctors shaped his interests. “Having a good doctor can really change life for the better, and having a bad one can do the exact opposite,” Williams Fonner said. “I want to give back for all the care and support that I received.”
Furthermore, faith has played a significant role in shaping Williams Fonner’s values and his decision to work for a greater purpose. “As Christians, we’re called to serve others and be caring and supportive. I feel like being a doctor will allow me to use my abilities to do that in the best way that I can,” he said.
Since his first year at DePauw, Williams Fonner worked closely with several faculty members to complete his major in biochemistry, minor in Hispanic studies and intensive pre-medicine track while preparing for the MCAT, the standardized exam required by most medical schools in the U.S. Most notably, Dr. Colleen McCracken Renick, assistant director of graduate and professional advising and pre-health advisor, guided Williams Fonner to review academic requirements and even secure a free MCAT study course. “She gave me a schedule on day one of the type of classes I should be taking—the kind of track I need to set for myself— and I still use that Google Sheet today,” he said.
However, Williams Fonner was met with the challenge of writing his personal statements. “Really digging up all of the things that make you you is a lot more draining than I initially would have anticipated,” he explained. “You have to look at yourself in the mirror and be like, ‘Why do I deserve this more than anyone else?’”
To overcome this challenge, Williams Fonner shifted his mindset from viewing the application process in a competitive light to a way for medical schools to determine his fit in their program. “I definitely learned a lot about reaching out to others, getting good feedback, trusting in the process, and just doing the best I can to make my goals move forward,” he stated.
As of Feb. 2026, Williams Fonner has received several acceptance letters and is in the process of interviewing and waiting for a few more schools’ decisions. Presently, he is focusing on giving back to the pre-med community at DePauw. “It’s really rewarding to be able to look back and be like, ‘Oh, now I can help these people in the same way that other pre-meds that were older than me helped me when I was younger,’” he reflected.
Like many graduating seniors, Williams Fonner shares a mix of feelings about concluding his time at DePauw. “I’m living one door away or within walking distance from all of my best friends right now, and I recognize that it’ll never be the same, so it’s definitely a bittersweet ending,” he said. Looking ahead, he is excited to serve people as a doctor and for the opportunity to grow as a student and individual.
