Kate Walsh
"Kate has played an instrumental role not only in my thesis project, but throughout my entire undergraduate career. From the initial design stages of my project to the presentation of the final results, Kate was there to support and guide me every step of the way. There were many times during my thesis project when I doubted my ability to continue, but Kate always met me with compassion and reassurance that I was capable of succeeding. Having someone by my side who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself, gave me the confidence to pursue and achieve things I never imagined possible, both inside and outside of the classroom. It was Kate who patiently guided me through learning how to conduct statistical analyses, which was a subject I had deeply struggled with earlier in my college career. It was Kate who read through my early, unorganized thoughts and helped me shape what I wanted the project to be. It was Kate who supported me through applications for grants, leadership positions, and jobs. Kate’s devotion to her students creates a compassionate, supportive atmosphere in her lab, where graduate and undergraduate students support each other through projects and life in general. I see Kate’s influence in the way the graduate students compile job boards and resources for us undergraduates, and in the way more experienced lab members provide advice and reassurance to newer members just beginning to learn the research process. I cannot think of a mentor more deserving of this award than Kate, and I am forever grateful for all the guidance and support she provided me throughout my undergraduate career."
Psychology