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?
My favorite quote about vocation comes from Frederick Buechner. He defines vocation as "the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need." Music has been the quickest and surest connection to my places of deep gladness. As I'm exploring music and other aspects of creativity, I'm learning how that can serve the world's deep need.

What honor, achievement or accomplishment is most meaningful to you? Why?

The Paretsky Award for Creativity was extremely important to me (The award goes to a junior woman demonstrating creativity in her given field). The choral piece I wrote was the first whisper of my emerging artistic voice. I had finally committed something substantial to paper and poured as much love into it as possible. The process of such a work is both exhilarating and exhausting. The Paretsky Award was a profound affirmation of that labor of love and strengthened my resolve to go forward.

For further reading, I included part of the creative statement for the award on my blog.

Who has been influential or had a significant impact on your life? Please elaborate. (Please include individuals at KU as appropriate.)
Professor Steve Fawcett (Applied Behavioral Sciences) opened my eyes to the quantitative aspects of social phenomenon and tools to affect community change. I'm lucky to have had such a kind, generous, and dedicated professor.

Dave Besson (Physics) led our University Scholars class on Paradigm Shifts with an adventurous spirit. He even gave the students a chance to teach - an amazing experience that opened new creative horizons for me. He is a professor who cares both about research and teaching and bends over backwards for his students. Plus, how many Physics professors have a rock band on the side?!

Kip Haaheim (Music Theory and Composition) entered my life when I had made some definite decisions about the direction of my life, but I was scared out of my minds as to what the implications would be. He gave a clueless girl a break (in fact, many breaks) and gave me an outlet for this rambunctious creativity. I hope every music student encounters such a talented and supportive professor!

Thad Holcome (ECM Campus Minister) has created a space where I can experience in the spirituality of community. That is no small feat.

Mary Klayder (English) has been with me since Day One at KU with her creative writing Honors tutorial (appropriately titled "Huh?"). She has watched my endless quest for "the perfect major" and laughed at my numerous "Megan-moments" (explosions of rapid description and excitement about the latest inspiring idea/experience/person I've discovered). If anyone understands the bumpy, chaotic, wonderful road to now, it's her. I don't know what I would do without the wise and wonderful Mary Klayder.

My deepest love and gratitude to the inexpressible contribution of family and friends.

Why do you believe it is important to recognize women for their accomplishments?
Recognizing women for accomplishments opens doors to possibilities for other women. I am continually amazed by women (and men, for that matter) who are doing incredible things that I never even imagined were possible. I would have never known if they weren't publicly recognized.

By recognizing and applauding successful women and their accomplishments, other women can seek them out as colleagues and mentors. Once you find who you're looking for, that life-changing idea, conversation, or relationship is only a phone call away.

What is a most favorite/least favorite memory as a student?
My favorite memories of college are my times at Mary Klayder's office. There is no way to encapsulate the success, failures, dreams, conversations, relationships and magic of my time at KU.

What is your definition of success?
I was approached on campus last semester by members of Campus Christians who asked me what the key to happiness was. I responded, "work that I love and people to share it with."

That statement is essential to my definition of success. It includes the qualities of love, productivity, and contribution. Financial independence is also a huge component of success because not only can one exercise personal sovereignty, one has the resources to contribute to the work of other talented and driven individuals.