Who are you?
-Name: Katy Garn
-Email: kathryn-garn@uiowa.edu
-Major: Biomedical Engineering
-Minors/Certificates: Spanish Minor
-Year: Junior
-Hometown: Norman, OK
What is one piece of advice you would give to an incoming freshman?
It is okay to say no sometimes! Find hobbies or clubs or groups that you actually care about and get invested in those, but don't feel the need to join everything just to not hurt someone's feelings. Your time is valuable and so it's only fitting to fill it with what is important to you!
What organizations outside the college of engineering do you belong to?
Chi Omega (Greek life) and Young Life
Have you had any international experience? If so, where did you go, for how long, and what did you do?
Yes, I studied abroad in Spain for a month over the summer after my freshman year. I went to a small town outside of Madrid and did full immersion, taking classes fully in Spanish at the University and living in a homestay with a local family!
How are you an "engineer ... and something more"?
I'm an engineer and something more by spreading my time across a variety of interests! I like watercolor painting and baking new treats. I am also involved in Greek life on campus and have been able to meet so many different people as well as have leadership opportunities through that organization. Finally, through my involvement in Young Life, a Christian organization on campus, I have been able to get more involved in the Iowa City community.
Is there something else you'd like to tell us about yourself?
As you've already seen, I'm an out-of-state student, so I wanted to take a moment to address that. I know it can be daunting, but going to Iowa is one of the best decisions I've made. It was an interesting experience coming to a place where I knew no one, yet it has been full of much growth and learning. I chose Iowa for the collaborative environment and the ability to have opportunities to connect at the hospital, research or otherwise. I've stayed because I've seen all of the promises made come true. I've seen an environment fully focused on the students and how we can be successful in all our ventures. I've met people of all disciplines and have gotten involved in a number of things. Coming to Iowa pushed me out of my comfort zone, but that push was one I needed to get closer to reaching my full potential.
What is your favorite part about being a student at The University of Iowa?
I love that the University has the family feel– everyone loves the Hawks and are supportive of one another. I like being on a big campus with so many opportunities yet still seeing familiar faces on campus or in the engineering building. These factors all contribute to the sense of home I get stepping onto campus and the reason I love being a student at the University of Iowa.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
One of my favorite professors is Charlie Frohman. He taught Differential Equations, a course I took last year. I loved that he would always take the time to answer questions and explain the theory behind what we were learning, plus he is hilarious. Often times the equations we were dealing with were super complex, but he was always patient in his explanation and would find multiple ways to solve a problem to ensure one of them made sense to you. That class showed me that it really is about learning, and the grades will follow if you take the time to understand the material.
What has been your favorite course?
My favorite course so far has been Stem Cells in Regenerative Engineering– due to both the content and professor (Kristan Worthington). She makes class engaging, encourages questions even in a virtual format, and has fun polls that are usually entertaining. The material covers stem cells and their production as well as the ethics behind a lot of decisions made in that branch of science. It has been really interesting so far learning about these topics that are right at the forefront of medicine.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time at The University of Iowa?
I like to be outdoors when possible, going on walks with friends or grabbing coffee (or hot cocoa for the coffee adverse). I also love to read in my free time and have found reading to be a nice mental break between classes or whenever I have a moment.