Katie Glenn receives 2020 Outstanding Senior Award from Alumnae
The Outstanding Senior Award is presented by the Alumnae Association Board of Directors to a member of the senior class who has demonstrated outstanding devotion to Saint Mary’s College.
The recipient of the Outstanding Senior Award exemplifies the spirit and values of her school and is distinguished by scholarship, leadership, and outstanding dedication to Saint Mary’s through participation in both curricular and extracurricular activities. As the valedictorian represents the mind, and the Lumen Christi recipient reflects the soul, the Outstanding Senior embodies the heart of Saint Mary’s.
The 2020 Alumnae Association Outstanding Senior is Katie Glenn. In honoring Katie at Commencement, Kara O’Leary, Executive Director of Alumnae & College Relations, remarked, “A brilliant student, Katie is widely recognized as a natural leader who willingly gives of herself in every situation.”
Graduating with a double major in political science and philosophy and a minor in economics, Katie has earned dean’s list honors every semester at Saint Mary’s. She has served as a peer mentor, the vice president of Belles for Life, and a committee member for the Saint Mary’s sustainability group. She is a four-year member of the cross country team, captaining the team for the past two.
One of Katie’s nominators, Jackie Bauters ’04, cross country coach at Saint Mary’s, said of her: “Katie Glenn is truly one of a kind. She quietly finds ways to make a large impact on those around her with her presence, leadership, and calm demeanor. Katie is how I imagine a Belle … strong, confident, always willing to lend a hand, respectful, and driven.”
“With an aptitude in understanding the world around her, Katie is wise beyond her years,” O’Leary said. “She often serves as the bridge between classmate and instructor, team member and coach. She is the person her classmates look up to. When they turn to her for guidance and support, Katie is there to listen and counsel.”
Her deep, abiding faith is integral to Katie’s life, and she challenges herself to seek out opportunities for growth. She is actively involved with the Friends with Sisters program, and has a special relationship with Sister Barbara. While 60 years separate them, they consider each other friends for life.
Another of Katie’s nominators is Patrick A. Pierce, professor emeritus of political science, who states, “I believe Katie expects more of herself than perhaps any student I have known at Saint Mary’s College over the course of nearly 40 years. She is an exceedingly well-rounded person.”
In his nomination, Professor Pierce describes her profound commitment to ethics, morality, and her faith and how those values shape her thoughts on politics and policy. According to professors Pierce and Bauters, she is thoughtful and compelling, a person who can lead, listen, respond and collaborate with others.
“An extraordinary Saint Mary’s woman, Katie truly embodies the heart of Saint Mary’s with her work ethic, perseverance, strength, and grace. While there are many remarkable women at Saint Mary’s, Katie is truly outstanding.”