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Katie Klimko
If you glance through a list of her achievements, it seems too good to be true, but the 2008 Annie Powe Hopper Award winner, Katheryn Klimko, could not be more real. She has not only accomplished much in her university career, but also touched the lives of friends, professors, peers and younger students through volunteer work, research and many other college experiences.
She captured the Annie Powe Hopper Award, Valdosta State’s highest academic honor, as well as the Marga Award, presented to by the Sigma Alpha Chi Honor Society to an outstanding female who has demonstrated academic superiority and participation in campus organizations. These awards, among many others, have set her on a high plateau of excellence, and her impressive scholarship has earned her a slot in the Harvard School of Law. Yet in all she has accomplished, Klimko remains humble, and credits her success to her God, and the love and support of her parents and grandparents, who have mastered the art of pure encouragement.
“They have always allowed me to realize that I can accomplish anything, but they do it without pressuring me,” she said. “I am so thankful for them and their encouragement.”
The petite senior, who graduated from VSU May 3 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, has more that just awards to exemplify her strong character. As a child, Klimko remembers reading I Corinthians 13 every night and developing ways to show love at her preschool — a habit not easily forgotten. As a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, a peer tutor and a tutor for local elementary children, she has unlimited opportunities to spread love. Her experience in community outreach, scholarly organizations and research paint the picture of an exceptional, yet well-rounded individual — one that accurately reflects her as an individual.
With plans to study constitutional law, the Valdosta native will embark on a new journey; however, one can easily see that her spirit and all the things that make her unique, like her love for Alfred Hitchcock movies (she has seen nearly all of them) and dedication to God, will remain true. Although the new graduate, who needs a prescription of more than -9 in each eye, claims the world can appear very blurry without her contacts, she possesses a vision for success and her future that could not be clearer.
Academic Year: Senior
Academic Standing or GPA: 3.97
Expected Graduation (semester/year): Spring 2008
Degree Objective: B.A. Mathematics
Hometown: Valdosta, GA
High school: Valdosta High School
University career highlights:
- Working on “Some Geometry of Pascal’s Triangle” with Dr. Kicey
- Member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority (Treasurer in 2005)
- Student Instructional Leader for the Math Department
- Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer
- Tutor at S.L. Mason Elementary School
- Peer tutor
I chose to attend VSU because… I am from Valdosta, wanted to stay close to my family, and was impressed with all the people I talked to from the Admissions office and various departments.
My favorite things to do on campus are…any types of interesting math research – particularly involving something not well known. I am also involved in my sorority – Alpha Delta Pi – and have enjoyed that.
When I have free time, I like… to read a good book. My favorites are either political nonfiction (Ann Coulter, Charles Colson, etc.) or a good mystery novel (Mary Higgins Clark, John Grisham).
My favorite place to study is… on my couch in front of the TV! I know, that sounds horrible, but it is true – I study best with the TV on.
The most exciting thing I’ve done is… coaching a MathCounts team up to the state finals. This was a group of seventh and eighth graders from St. John’s school. I was so excited when they won the local competition. They worked so hard and did wonderfully.
My favorite professor was Dr. Kicey…. I have had him for six courses and he has taught me so much. I have also had the opportunity to work with him on research and presentations, which has been such a blessing.
My favorite class was… our Math Senior Seminar. There were only five students in the class and we were able to cover subjects such as topology in a manner that would not have been possible in a traditional setting.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with… Ann Coulter, the conservative syndicated columnist. I love to read her work and would find it fascinating to be able to talk with her.
If I knew I could not fail, I would… go skydiving! However, I cannot help but be a little concerned of what would happen if something went wrong…
I chose my major/career because… I absolutely love math and always have. I was the nerdy little kid who was fascinated with numbers and never lost that fascination. I have chosen to go to law school because of the amount of logic involved in the law, similar to that in math. Law school is also the ideal way to accomplish some of my goals.
The three words that best describe me are… Christian, determined and pragmatic.
Growing up, the person I looked up to the most was… my mom. She stayed at home with me when I was little so we were able to spend a great deal of time together. This really helped me bond with my parents; to this day, they are still my best friends.
The thing that I will miss the most about college is… getting to spend time with the people with whom I have grown so close.
The one VSU experience I will always remember is… working with Dr. Kicey on research involving connections between Pascal’s Triangle and the Fibonacci sequence. We were even able to find connections to geometry. Our work is now pending publication in Pi Mu Epsilon math journal.
After graduation, I plan to… attend law school at Harvard. I would like to study Constitutional law and one day work in the government to bring our country back to traditional Christian moral values.
Some of my long-term goals are… to work for God, do His will, and go where He leads me. God has led me so far; I owe Him all of my life. I think it would be wonderful to work in the U.S. Government; however, I do not always know best. I will get through law school and see what doors God has opened for me.