Quinn Kathrineberg, Student Government Association co-president, meets Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, 91΄σΙρ's new president. Kathrineberg, a transfer from Hesston College, has made her mark during two years at 91΄σΙρ. She plans a career in teaching. (Photos by Andrew Strack)

Our Royal Pride: Quinn Kathrineberg, SGA co-president, musician, future teacher and more

by Randi B. Hagi

β€œOur Royal Pride” is an occasional series celebrating 91΄σΙρ’s undergraduate students who contribute to campus life in extraordinary ways in addition to their academic pursuits.Β These students enthusiastically create their own niches, constantly re-defining what it means to be an 91΄σΙρ Royal student β€œLike No Other.” Nominate a student with an email to news-editor@emu.edu.

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Quinn Kathrineberg, a senior at 91΄σΙρ, sees community engagement as an opportunity to stand up for the marginalized in society: whether through her , the , or the Eastern Mennonite Student Women’s Association.

β€œEspecially right now, in all of my classes, I’ve been having a lot of conversations about race,” says Kathrineberg. β€œI feel like it’s kind of my responsibility to keep having these conversations with people, and to be a voice for people marginalized – even on our campus, and to use the resources that I have to help everyone feel more included in our community.”

SGA co-presidents Quinn Katherineberg (left) and Elisabeth Wilder recognize advisor Ken L. Nafziger at a fall ceremony.

Kathrineberg’s future profession, teaching, became apparent to her as she learned about student marginalization.

β€œI was just ignited by lots of education disparities in the United States, and I was intrigued to know more about why the disparities exist,” says Kathrineberg, who transferred from Hesston College as a sophomore

Before coming to 91΄σΙρ, she spent a with the the Memphis Teacher Residency internshipΒ , which confirmed her career choice. She’s gained experience as a writing tutor in the Academic Success Center.

β€œI think that my calling is to be an educator, but I was reluctant to that at first; I didn’t want to be a teacher. But now I feel like that’s where I’m supposed to be.”

Coming as a junior to 91΄σΙρ, Kathrineberg knew she risked getting over-involved, so she became selective of how she’d spend her time.

With other members of the outreach quartet in 2016, Quinn Kathrineberg (middle) brought music into the community.

β€œI didn’t want to stretch myself too thin,” she says. β€œI wanted to be sure that what I was doing was important to me.” Kathrineberg first got involved with the women’s association at a student organization social, and has since stepped into its leadership.

β€œI think EMSWA is a space for both fellowship and challenging conversations,” she says. β€œI am constantly reflecting on what it means to be a woman in today’s society, in my future workplace, and in academia, for example. Having a designated time and space for female fellowship keeps me accountable to check in with others so that we can learn from and empower each other.”

Kathrineberg and her co-leaders invite faculty members to meetings to connect personally with students, or host more informal conversations about gender issues in their house.

As for SGA, the co-president says she is working on initiatives β€œwith an energetic team who cares about 91΄σΙρ” to help various demographics on campus feel more included.

While running between all of these activities, music provides her with a solid ground. Kathrineberg has played viola since the fourth grade, and has been involved in orchestra, an and private lessons at 91΄σΙρ.

β€œI just find the practice really relaxing,” she says. β€œI think it’s taught me a lot of discipline, and it’s something that’s been with me all throughout growing up, and it’s brought me to a lot of different places. I’ve gotten to travel with it, and it connects lots of people.”

Kathrineberg joins Jacinda Stahly as the featured performers at the March 30 orchestra concert.