Katie Almasy Becomes 5th Recipient of the Distinguished Goodnight Award

Each year, the Goodnight Scholars Program recognizes one scholar with the Distinguished Goodnight Award: an honor for those who embody the core mission and values of our community through their scholastic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and dedication to professional development.

At the Goodnight Graduation Gala on April 21, Katie Almasy of Durham, North Carolina became the Program’s fifth recipient of the Distinguished Goodnight Award.

As an NC State student, Katie has earned a number of academic accolades including the Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship and G.H. Satterfield Scholarship. Her passion for chemistry enabled her to become a research assistant for both Dr. Jonathan Lindsey and Dr. Gavin Williams in the Department of Chemistry, as well as a presenter at the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in South Carolina. In between her academics and research, Katie served as vice president for Alpha Chi Sigma and was a member of the Quad Area Council. She even found time to display her vocal prowess as a singer for the NC State Chorale and performed abroad in Ireland as part of the Chorale’s touring group.

In the Goodnight Scholars community, Katie was a consistent and visible leader. She eagerly took on the role of summer retreat leader, mentor, and ambassador while also serving as a co-chair for the Traditions Committee. She co-starred in the “I Am a Goodnight Scholar” promotional video and was featured in an episode of “STEM Around the House.” And she joined her peers on a journey to Trinidad & Tobago to advocate for sustainability education to local primary schools. Most importantly, Katie was always a friendly face in the community who would go out of her way to connect with her peers and encourage them to pursue their goals no matter how big or small.

“The Goodnight Scholars Program has given me opportunities I never imagined I would have,” Katie said when asked to reflect on her time as a Goodnight Scholar. “I’ve gotten to travel across the United States and across the world. I’ve networked with professionals and industry professors alike, been to shows I would never go to on my own, and generally been able to step outside my comfort zone without feeling like I was about to drown. There aren’t enough words to say thank you to everyone that’s contributed to this Program and to my life.”

Beginning in August 2017, Katie will start her graduate research fellowship at Vanderbilt University to obtain a Ph.D. in chemical biology.

Past recipients of the Distinguished Goodnight Award include Jeb Smith ’16, Kelsie Gardner ’17, Grayson Walker ’17, and Kaleb Morrow ’18.

This post was originally published by the Goodnight Scholars Program.