"I was attracted to the idea of living in an academic community where ideas were exchanged freely between students and professors – as opposed to attending a massive university where I’d be one of five hundred students sitting in a lecture hall,” said Ms. Lewis.

While at the Honors College, Lewis concentrated in political science and was quite active in Student Government. Some of the roles she assumed were a campus at-large representative and an Associate Justice on the Student Court during her senior year. She says that the Student Court was the organization that affected her the most. “The Student Court certainly affected me. We made one decision in particular that affected not only a student’s position in student government, but also may have had an affect on how students’ academic standing was calculated,” said Ms. Lewis. Additionally, Lewis was on the Dean’s List and Honor Roll on numerous occasions because of her outstanding academic performance. During her senior year in 2004, she received an Outstanding Thesis Award for Political Science, and the Outstanding Scholar Award.

“I was part of a small, close-knit academic community and the faculty valued my ideas, opinions, and academic work just as much as I valued theirs,” said Kathryn Lewis. She is still a part of that community, not just as an alumna, but also as a member of the advisory board of FAU’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College.

Kathryn has also had an opportunity to pursue her passion in life. She is currently an associate at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, a West Palm Beach-based law firm where she practices primarily in the areas of commercial and employment litigation. Lewis conducts research on a variety of legal topics; drafts complaints, answers, and motions; works with partners to discuss case strategies; attends and argues at hearings; prepares and takes depositions; negotiates settlement agreements; and works with clients to ensure that they are fully apprised of, and involved in, all aspects of the litigation.

Kathryn credits the Honors College with helping prepare her for her current occupation in two key ways. “First, the HC prepared me to be an excellent writer. Though my writing skills continue to develop and improve, I believe that the HC taught me to communicate clearly and effectively. Second, the HC prepared me to be an excellent speaker. Because our professors encouraged us to speak out in class and volunteer our opinions and arguments enthusiastically, I was much more comfortable doing so in law school and am more comfortable doing so in court,” said Ms. Lewis.

Kathryn Lewis had many memorable experiences at the Honors College, but her favorite memory involves an activity close to her profession. She said, “I’d have to say that the best HC experience I had was going to Downtown West Palm Beach with several professors and classmates the day after the 2000 presidential election. Having the opportunity to witness those events first hand — and to discuss and analyze them later with students and faculty — was simply an amazing experience. We truly were a part of history!” Her advice for graduating Honors College students is simple: “Pursue your passion!” And day after day Kathryn Lewis is doing just that, right in her community.

Byline: Tamara Howard