Are there honors/achievements/special recognition you would like to list that are not included above?
What led you to your area of study/field of interest?
What honor, achievement or accomplishment is most meaningful to you? Why?
Honestly, inclusion in the Women of Distinction calendar is the most meaningful to me. It's nice to know that even on a large campus that is more than 50% women, I have made a difference and have been able to stand out in the crowd. I'm also very proud of the Tau Beta Pi scholarship I received. I feel very privileged to be considered among the best of an already notable group.
Who has been influential or had a significant impact on your life? Please elaborate. (Please include individuals at KU as appropriate.)
The most influential people in my life are and always will be my parents. They have given me two great gifts: a love of learning and a strong drive to succeed. They have shown me what it looks like to lead a good life.
Why do you believe it is important to recognize women for their accomplishments?
Too often, women are quickly classified into "good girl" vs. "bad girl", "pretty" vs. "ugly" ... but there is so much more to being a woman, so much more to being a person! That's the bottom line right there: women are people. It is important to recognize women for accomplishments of all different types for exactly the same reason that people of all different talents should be recognized. If our society only recognized, say, great literary achievement, where would we be in the sciences? Considerably poorer. Likewise, if we only recognized athleticism, our scholastics would suffer. Just the same, if we only recognize women for being pretty, the potential for smart women suffers, and the heritage of such women becomes weaker.
What is a most favorite/least favorite memory as a student?
My favorite memories as a student are those in which I'm outside enjoying campus life. I know it's somewhat abnormal for a computer person to enjoy being outside, but those amazing spring days with the trees in bloom make life at KU even better.
What is your definition of success?
Success happens when you coordinate the talents that you have been given, the effort you put forth using those gifts, and the activities you undertake to produce a result that is pleasing to yourself and beneficial to those around you.
All three of those parts have to be there. It isn't enough to be talented; you must also use your talent toward some end. It isn't enough to just go through the motions, there must be effort.
