Kate Boyle | BOLDLY, BRIGHTLY
Boyle’s Augustana story is a good fit
Kate Boyle ’21 approached her college experience like a puzzle, searching for the right pieces to fit together to create her Augustana story. She started the day she arrived.
At the Activities Fair during Welcome Week, she learned about Greek life, pre-professional programs, French club, the rowing team and more. “I was just so happy,” she said. “There were so many things I had never known existed, and now I could be a part of that.”
Countless pieces create the details of Boyle’s Augustana experience, but three of the biggest are her academics/clinical work, concert band and Greek life — each of which provides a community of mentors and friends who support her dreams.
A double major in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and French, Boyle has a heavy course load and also works as a student clinician in the Barbara A. Roseman Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing in Brodahl Hall.
“Dr. J. [Jakielski] in the CSD department has been such an amazing mentor because she challenges me to think in new ways,” Boyle said. “She is really good at identifying your strengths and finding ways to use them.”
Across campus from Brodahl Hall is Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. Boyle doesn’t mind making the trek. To continue playing trumpet in an ensemble even though she’s not a music major gives her a place to take a break from her routine.
“It’s nice to just sit, play my instrument and be with people who love doing the same thing I do,” Boyle said.
A third piece of her puzzle, Greek life, gives Boyle leadership and event planning opportunities that enable her to give back to the community. She helped organize a Valentine’s Day gala that raised $1,000 for the Boys and Girls Club in the Quad Cities.
“Being in a sorority has allowed me to see how I can use my skills and talents to help make a difference in the community,” she said.
As Boyle looks ahead to attending Purdue University for her master's in speech-language pathology, she is confident her Augustana experience, especially her clinical work, has set her up for success.
“Augie’s taught me who I am, who I want to be and the things that I value most,” she said.
With this final piece in place, she’s ready to start a new puzzle.