Ally Don Jean-Francois is not simply a multi-talented person; he lives on it. He is always pushing the limits of what one student can accomplish, whether it is designing a high-performance car in the lab or leading a fast break on the lacrosse field. His ability to balance so many jobs is not only amazing but also motivating to those who know him.
He’s a mechanical engineering graduate student from Las Vegas, Nevada, standing at 5 feet 11 inches. He is always smiling and can start a conversation with anyone. Active on campus, he plays men’s lacrosse, serves as a resident assistant and is a drummer for the Pep Band. He’s also the president of the SAE Formula Electric Team, a member of the Black Student Union, and involved in Ministry, Cru and SAAC. He is also the Horizon League Student-Athlete Representative.
More often than not, he’s decked out in Detroit Mercy gear—whether on the field, at the gym or around the dorms. Every now and then, he might switch it up with a pair of jeans.
The Competitor’s Heart
Ally Don’s motivation is not limited to the lacrosse field. He participates in and is the president for the SAE Formula Electric Team, a demanding project that uses practical engineering principles to construct a working electric car.
Nassif Rayess, one of Ally Don’s professors of mechanical engineering said, “He’s a doer, a producer.”
When the competitive car program was dead, he took it over and now it is thriving.
His lacrosse performance is fueled by the same mindset. Don is a vital member of the Detroit Mercy men’s lacrosse team and is well known for his speed, talent and adaptability.
Head coach Charlie Hays said, “Don is a phenomenal leader. He is a leader for us every day and he does it by example.”
Although he has always been that way, he is now speaking up much more. People listen when he speaks.
The Art of Balance
It’s no easy task to balance Division I athletics and a rigorous academic program on top of extracurricular activities, but Ally Don rises to the occasion.
As previously mentioned, he is active on the Detroit Mercy campus as a Mechanical Engineering student, Men’s Lacrosse player, RA, Drummer for the Pep Band, and member of the Black Student Union, SAE Formula Electric Team (President), Ministry, Cru, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and he is the Horizon League Student Athlete Representative.
“My biggest challenge is time management,” Ally Don said. “I have a hard time saying no and I always feel like I need to be everywhere.”
However, he knows what he signed up for and is still committed to being there.
Over the years, Ally Don’s coach has observed an improvement in his capacity to handle his workload.
Hayes thought that it seemed he was taking on too much at times, but after watching him grow, he said, “He is having great success now.”
Don stays motivated by his passions and the difference he makes, even with his demanding schedule.
Finding His Identity
For a long time, lacrosse was the only thing that defined Ally Don. However, his time at Detroit Mercy has allowed him to rethink his identity outside of sports.
Ally Don said, “My sport and school was my only thing, and God has made me go through challenges to branch out.”
Early on in college, he faced many obstacles, and he realized that despite that, he wasn’t going to feel sorry for himself, but rather, “tap into who I was, that’s what made me feel alive,” he said.
His professor has personally observed this change.
Rayess said, “I could see that he wasn’t satisfied with the status quo, he is always aiming high, and I can see that he is pushing himself and his abilities to the max.”
Leading with Purpose
Ally Don maintains his roots of his accomplishments, proving that leadership is more than simply a title.
Ally Don said, “Yes, I do think of myself as a leader.”
But authenticity, not recognition, is what leadership is all about. It’s about leading by example and establishing genuine relationships and that’s what he tried to do every day.
According to Rayess, this genuineness is what gives Don such a strong effect on others. His head coach echoes that.
“He is always himself,” Hayes said. “If there was one word I could use to describe him, it would be ‘authentic.’”
An Impactful Legacy
Ally Don’s experience at Detroit Mercy is more than just a part of his own narrative; it is evidence of his determination, drive and dedication. He exemplifies the university’s principles of compassion, justice, service and respect whether he is leading in the lab, on the field or in the community.
Hayes said, “I don’t know if there is anyone who represents those values more.”
Don is still thinking about the people who have helped him and the legacy he wants to leave.
“My siblings motivate me a lot and all of the people who have sacrificed and invested their time in me,” he said.
However, his overall goal and motivator is to make people happy and to laugh.
Ally Don is not only establishing himself at Detroit Mercy, but he is also leaving a lasting legacy that will motivate future generations.
