- Name:
- Katie Parkhurst
- Major:
- Criminal Justice and Chemistry
- Minor:
- Criminalistics
- Year:
- Senior
- Home:
- Reedsburg, WI
It was the end of my first year of college at a different school and I wasn’t particularly happy there. I came to visit a friend and my brother here and discovered that UWP had a reputable criminal justice program. So, in June of that year (2002), I applied, wasaccepted, and found an apartment with my brother here. I began my chemistry major the second semester here.
Again, I came here because the CJ program was very reputable and I have yet to be disappointed. In fact, the more years I spend here, the more profound and advanced the program becomes. Specifically, Aric Dutelle has added various classes that deal with forensics which many CJ programs lack. The chemistry program here is and always has been from my knowledge very steadfast. It was through my Chemistry degree that I was able to do my internship with the Drug Enforcement Agency. My advisor, Dr. Cornett, approached me in the fall of 2004 with the idea. After a couple months of working out some glitches, interviewing and waiting for my background investigation to go through, I spent the fall of 2005 in Chicago. I know that through this internship, I have a foot ahead of the competition when I graduate. I learned how to live in a huge city all alone, how to meet new people without having someone else do the introducing, and how to use public transportation.
My favorite place on campus would have to be the weight room. Not only can I go there when I am bored to run/workout, I can go there to relieve stress. Nothing like a good run/workout to relieve stress from a bad day. Running and lifting is the best medicine for me.
One of my most memorable moments was when my brother graduated in May 2005. I didn’t realize how much I would miss him. People always were amazed that we were at the same school, and that we would hang out together. But, the real shocker was the fact that him and I lived together for my first two years here at UWP. He and I never got along until we lived together, and I have to say that he is one of my best friends now. I really miss him now that he is gone, but I am truly glad that he has graduated and has a great job because of his education here.