Katrina Lougheed

Orangeville, Ontario
Graduating with an honours Bachelor of Arts in classical civilizations with a minor in Spanish

How did you pick your major of study, and why did you choose the University of Windsor?

I picked the Classics program because I wanted to study a specific period in history, rather than a History degree in general, and because I liked the idea of learning the classical languages. Although I wasn’t originally planning on attending the University of Windsor, one visit was all it took to change my mind. In some ways, the campus reminded me of the things I liked best about my hometown.  I liked the trees and the grass throughout campus, and I liked the relatively small size of the campus.

What were your expectations of university? Has the University of Windsor met those expectations?

I didn’t have many expectations about university. When I arrived in Windsor I had no idea what I was about to experience. The only thing I really expected was to be lost in a sea of other students, and to be nothing more than a faceless number to my professors. Happily, I was proved wrong. I discovered that many of my professors made every effort to learn the names of each student in their class, and every professor was more than willing to give up some of their time to answer my questions, or just to chat.

What would you say is the most important thing you have learned at university: about yourself, about other people, about your field of study, or about the world?

I think the most important thing I have learned in the past four years is that what I think has value. My professors (especially the amazing ones in the Classics department) have encouraged me to form my own opinions and to share my ideas, rather than blindly accepting someone else’s conclusions.

What would you say has been the most memorable part of your UWindsor experience?

I will remember most all the people I met at UWindsor. Whether they were fellow students, professors, or food service workers, each person affected my life in some way, and I am glad to have met them all. 

Please tell us why you are proud to be part of the University of Windsor’s graduating class of 2011.

Graduating from any university is a great accomplishment. I am proud to be able to celebrate my graduation at the same time as the University’s 100 000th graduate.

Did you have a course, professor or classmate who inspired you?

I’m not sure I could pick a single person to talk about. Each of my professors inspired me to be the best I could.

What are your plans following graduation?

I will begin my Master’s degree in Museum Studies at the University of Toronto in September 2011.