Katie Odegaard Studies in Nebraska

By Tamara Boatwright

Public Information Officer, Gordon State College

Reprinted with permission from The President’s Report, the Gordon State College alumni magazine

Gordon’s Outstanding Scholar Katie Odegaard is about to enter the Neuroscience PhD Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, one of the toughest programs in the country … , and she is cool as a cucumber about it.

“I’m going to read for leisure and just hang around until I leave for Nebraska in August,” she said. “I didn’t have that much free time while I was in college, and I don’t anticipate having any when I start at Nebraska.”

As Gordon’s Outstanding Scholar, Odegaard was recognized along with students from other University System of Georgia institutions on Academic Recognition Day during the recent session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Katie has been determined to study the human body – particularly the brain – since 10th grade. Moved by the fact that both maternal grandparents suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, she wants to understand how the brain works and the disease itself.

“Maybe I can make a difference,” she said. “I’m going to try.”

Nebraska began courting Katie after she took the General Records Examination or GRE, a test required to get into graduate school.

“They sent a great big packet in the mail,” she said. “They are waiving tuition and are paying me a stipend to be part of the research program. It was a great deal from a great school.”

“The biology faculty helped in preparing me, sharing with me their experiences and giving me an idea of what to expect,” she said. “Other faculty helped too. A couple of English professors helped proof my application essay.”

Katie says she appreciates the academic recognition but only did what she thinks every student should do, study hard and give your best.

“Everyone at Gordon on every level has been important,” she added.

But there are those who think she is pretty special.

“Katie is a careful and creative thinker with an eye for details and a commitment to logic, which serves her well, both in the sciences and other fields,” said Dr. Mustapha Durojaiye, professor and chairperson of the Biology and Physical Sciences Department.

Durojaiye introduced Katie during a recent banquet to recognize academic honors.

“She breaks down the ‘science’ stereotype with her other creative skills in writing and performing arts. Katie is a very bright young lady who is highly focused on her studies and career aspirations.

And Katie’s interests do go beyond biology and science. She was the lead in the Gordon State College Theatre production of The Diary of Anne Frank.

“I did theater in high school and I like that play,” she said. “I auditioned and got the part.”

When asked if anyone has ever told her that she bears a striking resemblance to Anne Frank, she laughs.

“Yes I’ve heard that once or twice.”

Katie and her parents Carol, a physician who practices family medicine in nearby Jackson, and David, who is the business manager for the practice, will pack up in a few weeks and head north.

Her brother Drew, a Gordon alumnus who is a student at Mercer Medical School, will stay behind.

“My parents have been very supportive of whatever I wanted to study,” she said. “They’ve never tried to influence me or negative in any way. Both of them have always been there for me whether I have had a great day or if I had a stressful day and needed to vent.”

Although she has already visited the area, Katie is looking forward to scoping out Omaha, its zoo and other attractions before bearing down on her studies and winter sets in.

“That’s the one thing that will be really different,” she said. “The cold weather.

Cold or not, Durojaiye is sure she will be a success.

“Her dedication to learning is truly impressive. We are so proud of her accomplishments here at Gordon State College and we cannot wait to see what the future holds in store for her.”

The Odegaards live in Monticello, and Katie is a graduate of Piedmont Academy.