Graduation Year: Class of 2010

Major: Education (with a concentration in Child Development)

Hometown: Wake Forest, North Carolina

Activities at Peace College: Residence Hall Association President, Peer Educator, Serving on Executive Council, Peer Mentor, Teaching Club

Last year, Mary Kathryn was awarded "Outstanding Freshman" and was the only student who received the distinction in her class! She is planning to study abroad this summer in "The London Experience" where she will spend two weeks in London and two weeks in Paris with a group from N.C. State University!

Mary Kathryn notes that the faculty at Peace College has been extremely wonderful in helping her with her specific needs academically as well as, providing her with a professional yet fun atmosphere in the classroom. However, clubs and organizations are really her passion. Being involved at Peace has been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences for Mary Kathryn. Though she has never been shy or had a hard time finding the right activities, she never imagined the opportunities that she would receive when she became involved at Peace College. This year, members of the Residence Hall Association (RHA) are going to their first conference and Mary Kathryn gets to be a part of the experience. She never really realized the impact that she was making at Peace as well as the value to herself until she got more involved on campus.

Mary Kathryn was asked why she loves Peace College and her response was; "If I starting naming reasons why I loved Peace, I would probably take up a whole page. So I'm going to limit this to one answer. I love the connections you make with everyone around you. These people become your family and are there whenever you need them...you couldn't ask for anything better than that!"

Mary Kathryn is considering two possible career paths after graduation. One option is to continue her education by getting a Master's Degree in Reading Education so she can teach Special Reading to children. Her second option is to immediately begin teaching elementary school to children.

"People always told me that when I chose the right college, I would just know. Well, I can safely say that Peace College was the perfect fit for me. I could not have asked for a better experience from the faculty, administration and the students who have helped shaped me into the woman that I am becoming!" - Mary Kathryn Willis, Class of 2010