Kailynn Catalani
Graduation year: 2026
High school: Rockford Lutheran High School
Hometown: Roscoe, Ill.
Majors: Biochemistry; pre-medicine
Minor: Philosophy
Activities: Campus Ministries, Campus Kitchen, Augustana Symphony Orchestra
Internships: Baylor College of Medicine SMART Program (through Augie’s TMC-SRIP); A Life In Medicine Shadowing Internship at UnityPoint Health; SMaRT Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford
Post-grad plans: Medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.!
Why Augustana?
I’ll be honest. I applied to Augustana because I knew someone from high school who went here, and I needed a backup plan in case my dream schools didn’t work out. BEST BACKUP PLAN EVER. I have met some of my best friends and most inspiring mentors in the past four years. In reality, Augustana chose me, but if I could turn back time, I would choose it too, from the beginning.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
I am exactly where I thought (and hoped and prayed) I would be by graduation, but I never would have predicted the detours I took on the way here. I came in dead set on becoming a doctor, done exploring, ready to focus my studies.
To my surprise, I was contemplating a philosophy minor by semester two. Along the way, I also seriously considered switching to education or pastoral care careers. Augie’s liberal arts curriculum facilitated my detours, and each one has made me more well-rounded.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
• My dad, who gave me a headstart in school by teaching me the alphabet before I could even talk. Hearing him tell that story over and over again has given me a strong sense of capability.
• My mom, who encourages me to have no regrets. This advice has deepened my relationships by motivating me to express appreciation, even when it feels awkward or unnecessary. I’ve learned that it’s rarely awkward, and it’s always necessary.
• Mrs. Darcy Hill, my elementary school drama teacher, who modeled intellectual curiosity, gentleness, excellence and creativity. When she said I should think about being a doctor, I actually listened (sorry dad, I know you said it first).
• Mr. Darren Hansen, my high school Bible teacher who gave me near-certainty that I would find a medical career fulfilling.
• And of course, a multitude of Augustana faculty who welcomed me into their offices for spontaneous conversations, asked me important questions and lovingly pushed me in the classroom.
Peak experience?
It’s a tie between my internship at Baylor and my J-term in Holden Village.
In Holden, I took a deeply impactful religion class with Dr. Jason Mahn, and we were without cell service for 21 days. Away from modern distractions, I got to figure out who I am and how I contribute to community.
At Baylor, I was surrounded by human excellence, and I got to take part in it by contributing to research in one of its labs. I spent the whole summer wide-eyed as I explored a major city for the first time.
What surprised you?
I was surprised by how easy it was to get meaningfully involved in extracurriculars here. The student orgs I took interest in were fairly small, so it was easy to get to know the student leaders and to become one myself. Many clubs are also fairly low-commitment, so in the beginning, I was able to spread myself wide as I figured out which ones resonated with me most.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
My Augie Choice helped me fund my internship at Baylor last summer. I was able to find nice housing a walking distance from Houston’s Museum District and Hermann Park, both examples of the human excellence I was talking about previously.
What will you miss the most?
I will deeply miss the faculty and staff here, especially the ones who have let me get close with them. Those will be some hard goodbyes.
I’ll miss having my current group of friends so close by, and I will really miss my faithful roommate of four years, Shreza Shrestha. She is such a sweet person to come home to.
On the nonhuman side, I’ll miss the Slough and all the wildlife on campus. I’ll also miss the dining hall’s pasta bar.
Advice for the Class of 2030?
Work to find who you are outside of your achievements. What do you uniquely contribute to a friend group, to your family and to your community? You will inevitably compare your achievements to others, but it will be less painful if your achievements are not your whole identity.
"From the start, Kailynn Catalani stood out from the crowd. As a student, Kailynn consistently asked the tough questions in class (and outside of class). She didn't settle with easy, pat responses. She was always hungry for more — more depth, more relevance, more questions. Later, as a TMC-SRIP intern, she met goals far beyond normal undergraduate expectations, and she impressed her nationally known mentor(s) with her ongoing desire for real answers. Most importantly, however, Kailynn exemplifies the best of a liberal arts-trained scientist. She cares about what she does with the rich authenticity of someone who will make a measurable difference in our needy world."