The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics held a year-end celebration event on April 12 in the Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall to honor the affiliated students who earned their undergraduate or graduate degrees from Iowa State University this spring, as well as the students who graduated in December 2023.
Caitlin Patton, museum security and education program assistant for University Museums, was the guest speaker at the event. Patton shared information about the museums and art installations that make up the University Museums program at Iowa State, as well as providing an overview of the current Christian Petersen exhibits showcasing his work on campus. The event ended with a visit from Zosia and Sydni, therapy dogs with the Iowa State University Police Department. Caitlin Patton, museum security and education program assistant for University Museums, speaks to Catt Center staff and students about the Christian Petersen exhibits in Morrill Hall
Graduates sharing their future plans include:
Allie CrowsonAlexandra Crowson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations with minors in political science and sociology. Hailing from Peoria, Illinois, Crowson was the Sharon and Alice Rodine Leadership and Advocacy intern for the 2023-2024 academic year. While she said that it is difficult to choose a single favorite Iowa State memory from everything that she has done in her four years at Iowa State, she said the end-of-the-year festivities and beautiful spring weather on campus always make her sentimental. After graduation, she will be starting a position as an associate grants coordinator for the city of Peoria, Illinois.
Kaija DahlbergKaija Dahlberg graduated with a bachelor’s degree in genetics and nutritional science. From Mounds View, Minnesota, Dahlberg was the 2023-2024 Dr. Lauren S. Hughes Legacy of Heroines Scholar. Dahlberg says that her favorite Iowa State memory was supporting the Cyclones at football games with her friends each fall. After graduation, she will be attending medical school to become a physician.
Caitlin HenriksenCaitlin Henriksen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. From Des Moines, Iowa, Henriksen was a Claire B. Andreasen Legacy of Heroines scholar from 2022-2024. She says her favorite Iowa State memory was winning Greek Week and Homecoming back to back with her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. This fall, she will be attending Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Mia KawamitsuMia Kawamitsu graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism & mass communication and international studies with a minor in fashion, culture, history, and social justice. From Council Bluffs, Iowa, Kawamitsu was the 2023-2024 Sharon and Alice Rodine Leadership and Advocacy Legacy of Heroines scholar. She recalls her favorite Iowa State memory as wearing a yukata to represent her Japanese heritage and seeing all her friends wearing their cultural dress at her first International Night event. After graduation, she plans to begin a career in student affairs at an institution focusing on serving underrepresented students.
Shay KentShay Kent graduated with a bachelor’s degree in global resource systems and environmental studies with a minor in food and society. From Urbandale, Iowa, Kent was a Phyllis Davis Legacy of Heroines scholar from 2022-2024. Her favorite ISU memory was spending warm spring afternoons on the lawn of central campus. Her post-graduation plans include joining the Peace Corps as a community and youth health educator in Botswana.
Linsey KittLinsey Kitt, who was a Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines scholar from 2021-2024, graduated with a master’s degree in computer science after completing a concurrent bachelor’s and master’s degree program. She says that her favorite memory from Iowa State was attending the 2022 Grace Hopper Celebration through the computer science department. After graduation, she is moving to Seattle to start a position as a software engineer at Amazon. Kitt is from Jefferson, Iowa.
Julia LiteckyJulia Litecky graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism & mass communication with a criminal justice minor. From Minneapolis, Minnesota, Litecky was the Haselhoff Family Legacy of Heroines scholar from 2022-2024. A member of the DubH hip-hop dance club at ISU since her freshman year, Litecky says her favorite memories are the showcases at the end of each semester when the club members perform. She will be attending law school this fall.
Kayla MorrisseyKayla Morrissey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in German. From Saint Paul, Minnesota, Morrissey was a 2023-2024 Kedrowski and Fitzgerald Family Legacy of Heroines scholar. She said that one of her favorite memories was during her freshman year when she and a friend cooked small meals for each other in her dorm kitchenette at Towers—the start of a friendship (and shared cooking events) that has continued through today. After completing a study-abroad program in Vienna, where she is practicing her German and learning about global transportation and city planning methods, Morrissey will begin a position as a graduate engineer working with water/wastewater in Minneapolis.
Aliah SowAliah Sow graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and French. From Los Angeles, California, Sow was a 2023-2024 Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines scholar. Sow’s favorite Iowa State memory was studying abroad in Grenoble, France for a semester. She will be attending graduate school in the fall to pursue a Ph.D. in applied mathematics.
Jaelyn TiggesJaelyn Tigges, the 2023-2024 Beth Bierbaum Legacy of Heroines scholar, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She will be pursuing a master’s degree in math education at Iowa State this fall, with the goal of becoming a high school math teacher. Her favorite Iowa State memory was going to all of the women’s basketball games with her sister and friends. Tigges is from Dubuque, Iowa.
Estelle VenableEstelle Venable graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and Spanish with a certificate in soil science. From Fort Collins, Colorado, Venable was an Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines scholar from 2022-2024. She her favorite Iowa State experiences were getting to travel and meet a variety of new people. After graduation, she will be moving to Michigan to continue her education in soil science.
Ulrich WolfeUlrich Wolfe graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in management. From Nevada, Iowa, Wolfe was the 2021-2022 Joanne and Charles Kuster Legacy of Heroines scholar and the 2022-2024 Maxine M. Burch Legacy of Heroines scholar. His favorite thing about his time at Iowa State memory was the opportunity to work with people from around the world. After graduation, Wolfe will continue to pursue a career in finance, whether that be in structured finance, capital markets, commercial banking, or real estate. He also hopes to gain a CFA certification and pass FINRA requirements.
Other graduates include Yen Nguyen, a December 2023 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology; Alyssa Rodriguez, a December 2023 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with minors in public relations and political science; Grace Parrott, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science; Hope Ung, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and environmental science; and Clare Vilmont, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science.
Catt Center staff and students, along with Legacy of Heroines scholarship donors Drs. Betsy Hoffman and Brian Binger, attended the Catt Center’s year-end celebration on April 12.
