Kathryn Tay Finalist for UWs Outstanding Undergraduate Award

Kathryn Tay, from Cheyenne, was a finalist for the University of Wyoming’s highest honor as a top graduating senior.

She was among 11 students nominated for the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri and Tobin Memorial Award, which recognizes the most outstanding graduates from the 2018-19 undergraduate class. The award is based on academic excellence and achievement, service to the university, participation and leadership in the community and campus activities, and citizenship qualities.

Jess Fahlsing, from Rock Springs, and Dylan Rust, of Green River, were the recipients of the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri and Tobin Memorial Award. The announcement was made at the Friday, April 26, luncheon at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.

Tay is majoring in political science, with minors in philosophy and honors.

During her undergraduate studies at UW, Tay was a member of the Associated Students of UW (ASUW) and the Minority Student Leadership Institute (MSLI).

“I believe that being a meaningful member of the campus community means prioritizing school above all else, and then making time for extracurricular and service activities,” Tay says.

One nominator says Tay’s position with MSLI and ASUW has leaked into her schoolwork, making her an enjoyable student.

“Her ability to fight for marginalized students while understanding the ways in which the UW system works has reflected greatly in her work,” the nominator says. “She is gregarious, empathetic and generally a fun and kind person that makes coming to work every day a pleasure.”

Another nominator also has found joy in working with Tay during her years as an undergraduate student.

“Overall, Katy has been an unequivocally delightful student to work with,” the nominator says. “I consider myself very lucky to have had her in so many courses. She is mature, thoughtful, caring about social justice issues, self-confident though humble, very articulate, joyful and very smart.”

Tay will continue with her graduate work at UW this fall; she was accepted into the Political Science QuickStart 5-year BA/MA program at the end of the current spring semester.