Katherine Johnson
Classification: Senior
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Bountiful, Utah

Katherine Johnson is the academic equivalent to the Jill of all Trades. She has been involved in every aspect of Lee University life. She is currently a member of chorale, a peer leader, vice president of Sigma Nu Sigma, little sister for Theta Delta Kappa, a member of Alpha Chi honor society, a Kairos Scholar, and a student worker for the president’s office. It is clear that Katie has her head and heart wrapped around the workings of Lee.

At Lee, Katie is carrying on the family legacy as the daughter of Lee alums Bob and Carol Johnson and sister to graduate B.J. Johnson. Apart from the strong tradition of Johnson attendance, Katie knew that Lee was meant for her. “I realized that college was so much more than growing intellectually. I wanted a school that would also allow me to grow holistically and spiritually,” she says. “I knew that Lee could do that.”

Now a senior business administration major with a minor in music, like many others, Katie didn’t begin her college career on the path she ended up taking. “I actually started out as a music business major,” she says. She decided to change her major after taking a summer business course at the University of Utah where her father is a professor. “I love my major. The faculty in the Business Department has challenged me and made me love my major even more.”

Outside of academics, Katie has managed to enjoy life at Lee to the fullest. “I really enjoy enhancing relationships with my close friends and just hanging out,” she says. “I also make time to play music and to travel. When I’m back home in Utah, I love to snowboard and dive into other outdoor sports that are available there.”

One of the experiences she feels profoundly impacted her time at Lee was her participation in the Semester in Cambridge 2007 trip. She says that this experience changed and shaped her life and is one of her best Lee experiences. “The Cambridge program influenced me spiritually, physically, and emotionally,” she says. “I made amazing friends and have been through experiences that, until then, I had only dreamed of. I am more of the person that I’ve always wanted to be because of my time there.”

The high points have also taken place on campus; her favorites include the trip that Chorale went on to New York the summer of 2006, her time in Sigma and Theta, and her musical experiences (Katie was also a member of Wind Ensemble and Choral Union during her first year at Lee). “I absolutely love everything that I am involved in. That’s why I’ve stuck with them.”

Katie is set to graduate this coming May. When asked what her plans are following graduation, she laughs and says, “Who knows? There are so many things that I want to do and so many places I want to go. I am willing to go wherever opportunities present themselves, but I have a few more months to figure it out.”

She does know that she does not plan on staying in Cleveland. Her current plans are to move to a major city, in the United States or out of it. In the next two years, Johnson would like to go back to school to pursue a master’s degree in business administration or a degree in interior design “I would also possibly like to own my own business at some point in my life” she says.

Despite her plans to move, there are many things that Katie will miss about Lee and the surrounding area. “What I'll miss most is the tight-knit and supportive community at Lee. I’m really going to miss all the people that I have made close relationships with during my time here. Since I have been so far from home, those friends have become apart of my family.

“I am truly thankful and grateful for the people that God has placed in my life. He has blessed me during these four years at Lee. I know that my time here will benefit me when I graduate.”

She would like to encourage students to make the most of their time. “Get involved! The friendships and connections that you make in college will be the ones that stay with you. Make the most out of every opportunity that is presented to you.”

That advice is clearly coming from experience.
 

Posted on - 10/9/07