St. Lawrence Senior Stories 2020

GRADUATING CLAS S OF

2020

The Mission

The mission of the St. Lawrence Center, the Catholic Church at the University of Kansas, is to form those she encounters through the intellectual, moral, liturgical and spiritual traditions of our faith. Her deepest desire is to send out free and full disciples of Jesus Christ who are capable of the greatest vocations.

Captured within these pages, you will find a few great stories of our 2020 graduates. COVID-19 will not stop them from writing incredible stories with their lives. These stories are what give us energy for our mission here at KU, as they have been sent out to the entire world to be disciples of Christ in their life and work.

“I can see how beautifully He has been working everything for my good.”

Jordan Schartz HOMETOWN: Wichita, KS KU MAJOR: Social Work NEXT STEPS: Work at a pregnancy crisis center in Wichita.

A big way I have grown in interior freedom during my time in college is in my capacity to receive. Over the last four years, my heart has transformed, healed, and pursued

by Jesus Christ in ways I couldn’t even had imagined. The Lord used St. Lawrence, my friendships, hours in front of the Eucharist, and much more to do these things, and I can see how beautifully He has been working everything for my good. Through all of this, my heart has been made receptive to His love, receptive to my own goodness and the goodness of others, and it has been widened to receive all the more that The Lord wants to give me. This truly has been so freeing! Moving on to the next chapter of my life, my deepest commitments are to become more in union with Jesus, to follow him more freely, and love Him more fully. In whatever The Lord calls me to, I desire to do these things and keep saying “yes” to Him!

Jenni Nguyen “I must trust in God that He will provide for me.”

HOMETOWN: Olathe, KS KU MAJOR: Chemical Engineering NEXT STEPS: Environmental Consultant at Trinity Consultants in Lenexa, KS. “The biggest risk of faith I took at KU was to accept the commitment to make Jesus Christ the center of my life. It is something that’s honestly very scary to make the conscious effort every day to follow Jesus and to radically change the way I live my life. I had to really cut out things that were keeping me away from Christ. It was a risk because I was not sure of the direct consolation and I certainly am not promised anything when I fully choose to embrace my faith, but I must trust in God that He will provide for me.”

Jenna Zywiec I believe that I am truly loved. That the Father’s love is not conditional. That I have a Father that knows me and completely understands me. This freedom has caused me to be more bold and desire heaven more. My deepest commitment is being a disciple of Jesus.

One of my disciples that I have been investing in over thepast year recently told me that me investing time in her has impacted her life. That it is our faith-based conversations that bring her out of herself. That she too now desires greatness and to be a disciple of Jesus.

“My deepest commitment is being a disciple of Jesus.”

HOMETOWN: Columbus, OH KU MAJOR: Dance NEXT STEPS: Focus!

Molly Keane HOMETOWN: Arlington Heights, IL KU MAJOR: Elementary Education NEXT STEPS: Seton Teaching Fellows I really cannot imagine life without St. Lawrence. It has played such a huge role in affirming my faith and giving me the opportunity to claim it and identify with it that I don’t even know if I would still be Catholic. I know that I would be extremely shallow had I not been involved in St.Lawrence. Being open to a vocation that isn’t marriage has been huge for me. I always grew up thinking about my future husband and what our life would be like but now the fact that I could be called to commit my whole life to Jesus is incredible. If I could go back and tell my freshman year self that I would be in disbelief.

“I could be called to commit my whole life to Jesus.”

“I have a strong desire to lead others to the truth.”

Andre Kurait HOMETOWN: Andover, KS KU MAJOR: Computer Science NEXT STEPS: Going to Plano, TX to work as a Software Engineer for Capital One. “One of my biggest growths in interior freedom has come from the increased internalization that God is the one in charge and not me. Beforehand I had struggled a lot (honestly, sometimes still do) with the notion I need to succeed in everything that I do and if, by my definition, something goes wrong, then I am a failure and God is disappointed with me. My time at St. Lawrence has helped me really reverse that incorrect thought process to an increased desire and commitment to fulfill God’s plan. I am now more than ever committed to the whole of the Catholic faith.

I strive to continue to grow in faith and discipline in the faith and I have a strong desire to lead others to the truth. Beyond that I have a deep commitment to my family, committed to a desire to be reunited in the eternity of Heaven.”

Faith Biermann HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS KU MAJOR: B.S. Behavioral Neuroscience NEXT STEPS: Medical School!

“I am definitely inspired to seek truth.”

My life would look drastically different without St. Lawrence. SLC provided an escape from the pressure of school and my busy schedule. I’ve made great friends, gained inspiring mentors, and met my soon-to-be husband. It gave me a greater appreciation for the little things in life - like the joy in making a good cup of coffee for a stranger (thanks Slow Drip :). Intellectual conversations and seminars showed me the vastness of our faith.

I am definitely inspired to seek truth and learn even more as I enter the next phase of my life.

Emily Kuhlmann

“I’m simply here to be His follower, wherever He leads me.”

HOMETOWN: Goodland, KS KU MAJOR: Human Biology NEXT STEPS: Attend medical school at KU Med in KC Here at KU and St. Lawrence, I have worked on being more open to what God’s plan is for me, even if it’s something I might not see or necessarily want for myself. The path toward medical school has been a difficult one, but I’ve learned it’s not up to me what happens next. God is in charge and I’m simply here to be His follower, wherever He leads me. My answer to God is YES. Even if I don’t know what the question is, or where it will take me, I am working toward complete trust and surrender to His will.

CONGRATU Thanks to all of the seniors who have filled out our senior exit survey, as

Emma Anderson Mekam Anya Ellie Augustine Natalie Babich Anna Barreda Aseret Bertram Faith Biermann Kali Boydston Will Brabston Andrea Buss Francisco Caceres Chase Charles Micaela Crispin Juliana Cullen Taylor Dinkel Grant Elias Renee Ellegood Leah Ferrara Megan Feuerborn Annie Gardner Julian Garfield Kevin Gomez Abigail Hamilton Emma Herkelman Taryn Hessel Grace Horvat Emily Jacobsen Brian Kaufman Molly Keane Matthew Kelly Sophie Khadivi Justin King Allison Kmiecik Joseph Korbel Emily Kuhlmann Andre Kurait Brooke Lapke Mackenzie Lary

Lincoln,NE.............. ................Architectural Engineering Kansas City, XX........ ........................................English Overland Park, KS..............................Classical Languages Wichita, KS..................................................Psychology Broken Arrow, OK..........................Chemical Engineering Bentonville, AR......... Journalism, Strategic Communication Goodland, KS........................................Human Biology Lee’s Summit, MO..... ........................Spanish, Psychology Overland Park, KS..... ....................Aerospace Engineering Stockton, KS............ .............................General Studies Lawrence, KS................................Aerospace Engineering Wichita, KS.............. .............................Human Biology Shawnee, KS.................................Aerospace Engineering Edwardsville, IL................................Atmospheric Science Hays, KS................. .........................English, Psychology Overland Park, KS......................................Biochemistry Millstadt, IL............. .....................Chemical Engineering St. Louis, MO........... .................................Architecture Shawnee, KS............ ................Strategic Communications St. Charles, MO........ ....................Aerospace Engineering Mount Airy, MD........ ..................Mechanical Engineering Liberal, KS...............................................Microbiology Bucyrus, KS...........................................Graphic Design Coffeyville, KS.......................................Exercise Science Colorado Springs, CO.............Secondary English Education Olathe, KS.......................................Journalism, Theatre Phoenix, AZ.................................................Psychology Overland Park, KS..... ........................Music Composition Arlington Heights, IL.......................Elementary Education Prospect Heights, IL... ...................Petroleum Engineering Lenexa, KS........................Speech and Language Pathology Olathe, KS............... ................................Microbiology Omaha, NE...................................Elementary Education Lawrence, KS........................................................Law Overland Park, KS..... ..................Behavioral Neuroscience Andover, KS.......................................Computer Science LaMotte, IA............. .................................Microbiology Wichita, KS..............................Strategic Communications

ULATIONS! well as the many more who have walked with us in their journey at KU! Emmi Loo Stephanie Matthews Rachel Maurer Katie Michael Andrew Miller Audrey Morel Sophie Mosko Sarah Myers Kristina Nguyen Jenni Nguyen Mia Palitto Evan Parsons Jenessa Pasimio-Field Emilia Paz Ashley Pitcock Jane Quinn Payton Ranck VĂ­ctor Remar Miranda Roberts Mackenzie Sanders Jordan Schartz Kelley Schorn Aidan Setter Patrick Shreve Joe Skevington Reagan Smith Hailey Solomon Gabriel Sotomayor Patrick Sullivan Murphy Tinio ThaoMy Tran Catherine Volz Alex Wagner Rachel Walters Margaret Werth Cole Zimmerman Jenna Zywiec

Phoenix, AZ.............................................Art History Derby, KS............... ..............................Biochemistry Lawrence, KS............ ...............Mechanical Engineering Derby, KS................ .........................Exercise Science Kansas City, XX..........................................Marketing Belle Plaine, XX....................................Music Therapy Denver, CO...............................................Marketing Shawnee, KS.............................Human Biology Pre-PA Wichita, KS...................................................Biology Olathe, KS............... .................Chemical Engineering Overland Park, KS.........................................Nursing Wichita, KS.............. ................................Journalism Joplin, MO...................................................English Arequipa, Peru.................................Computer Science Dallas, TX................ ...............Mechanical Engineering Arlington Heights, IL....................Elementary Education Omaha, NE............. .....................................Biology Lima, XX................................Behavioral Neuroscience Plymouth, MN............................................Marketing Frisco, XX............... ......................Psychology, English Wichita, KS.............. ...............................Social Work Fort Worth, TX........................................Architecture Topeka, KS..............................Business Administration Overland Park, KS.............................Civil Engineering Leawood, KS............ ....................Finance, Accounting Dana Point, CA......... ......Speech and Language Pathology Oswego, KS.............. .......................Civil Engineering Lawton, OK.............. ...................................Finance Muscotah, XX............ ............Architectural Engineering Horton, KS....................................Sport Management Olathe, KS............... .............................Microbiology Bucyrus, KS............. ......................Business Marketing Overland Park, KS.....................................Accounting Lawrence, KS........... ..........................Exercise Science Topeka, KS.............. ......................Music Performance Oakley, KS...................................Atmospheric Science Columbus, XX.......... ......................................Dance

Emily Jacobsen

“I am able to freely love people because they are precious creations of God.” HOMETOWN: Phoenix, AZ

KU MAJOR: Psychology NEXT STEPS: Working as a behavioral health therapist in a psychiatric facility with foster kids.

Throughout my time at St. Lawrence, I have grown deeply in interior freedom. I have learned that true freedom comes from a relationship with God. All I really want in life is to be loved for who I am and He does exactly that. He loves me for just existing. I don’t have to do anything to earn His love. No one else’s opinion about me matters except for His. Having learned this through the St. Lawrence Center, I feel free. I am able to freely love people because they are precious creations of God. I am able to freely unite my sufferings with Jesus because He died for me. He gives me freedom from the struggles of this world. He gives me the freedom to choose to love Him. The more I pray and build a relationship with Him, the more I am able to discern what He is calling of me in life.

Cole Zimmerman HOMETOWN: Oakley, KS KU MAJOR: Atmospheric Science NEXT STEPS: Get a job and get married.

St. Lawrence has been my home. Family is the only way to describe it. And that’s coming from someone who has a great, close-knit family back home. School would have been nearly impossible without St. Lawrence; it’s where I made some of my best friends, where I spent my free time, and where I grew. St. Lawrence and the people I met there is what made these four years great.

realized how Annie Gardner “Ireliant I was on HOMETOWN: St. Charles, MO God alone...”

KU MAJOR: Aerospace Engineering NEXT STEPS: Full-Time position at NASA Johnson Space Center as a Flight Controller for the ISS

The biggest risk of faith I took during my college career was in leaving KU to move to California and work a co-op for 7 months.

This took me away from the home I had found in Lawrence and the people I knew God was asking me to get to heaven with but made my bonds and faith so much stronger because of it. I realized how reliant I was on God alone and the Sacraments, and came back with more gratitude and energy for mission than I had ever had before.

Murphy Tinio HOMETOWN: Horton, KS KU MAJOR: Sports Managment NEXT STEPS: FOCUS Missionary Interior freedom is giving yourself to others and making good of every situation because of your faith in God. One of my main love languages is Acts of Service. I’ve learned to serve others with the capabilities I have because that’s what Christ did for you and me when he was crucified for our salvation. Even suffering can be transformed to an offering back to God. When we are able to love as God loves, that is -- unconditionally, that’s when we’ve perfected interior freedom.

“Even suffering can be transformed to an offering back to God.”

Aseret Bertram “I know that the Holy Spirit worked through me...”

HOMETOWN: Bentonville, AR KU MAJOR: Journalism-Strategic Communication NEXT STEPS: Colorado My sophomore year roommate asked me questions about my faith, Mass traditions and why I believed Catholicism was my religion. While I didn’t know all the answers to her questions, I invited her to Mass. She didn’t always come, but I never failed to ask her. Fast forward two years, and she is about to be baptized into the Catholic Church. While I may not have been the one to give her all the answers, I know that the Holy Spirit worked through me and she would not be where she is if I had not lived out my Catholic faith in front of her and invited her to Mass.

Grant Elias

“My faith today is strong.”

HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS KU MAJOR: Biochemistry NEXT STEPS: Medical school, most likely at KU Med. Going to Mass each Sunday night at St. Lawrence served as a weekly reset, a time to relax, reflect, pray, and forget about everything else going on at that time. I was fortunate enough to meet several friends at the Center, whether it was via Supper Chill or serving as a EMHC these past two years. My faith today is strong, just as it was while I was at a Catholic grade school and high school, and I look forward to continuing on in my faith as I move into med school.

Grace Horvat HOMETOWN: Olathe, KS KU MAJOR: Journalism, Theatre NEXT STEPS: Arts Marketing I wouldn’t be the woman I am without the community I’ve found at St Lawrence. The people in my life have lifted me up and held me accountable during dark times. I thank God every day for the lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve met in my four years. When I was a sophomore, I was running from my faith. I was alone and rejecting the things and people I loved. Good Company has changed and reinvented the way I see myself and others. Those people have made a home for me when I felt like I didn’t have a place. And that’s now my whole mission — to walk with people where they are at. I’ve felt heard and seen.

“And that’s now my whole mission — to walk with people where they are at.”

Margaret Werth

“...everything He asked me to give ...He has returned tenfold.”

HOMETOWN: Topeka, KS KU MAJOR: B.M. Music Performance in Organ & Church Music NEXT STEPS: Masters in Sacred Music at the University of Notre Dame The Lord used my time at KU to strip away pretty much everything I held most dear, and taught me to trust Him despite feeling I’d been abandoned. I am so glad He did, for I am so incredibly stubborn, it was in taking beautiful things away that made me realize all the more what gifts they were. Now that this time comes to an end, everything He asked me to give back (or forcibly taken because I wouldn’t let it go), He has returned tenfold. My love of family and community at home has only increased, and at the very end, while I’d patched up what was left of my shattered plans to discern what steps to take after undergrad, God gave me an entirely unasked for gift in the graduate program He is sending me to... The greatest blessing through all of this, is now having given back tenfold everything He’d taken away, He has taught me to hold it all with an open hand.

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