Katie Weinland graduated with honors (magna cum laude) from the University of New Mexico on May 16 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Society Fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, the National Society for Leadership and Scholarship, the Student Residence Center Executive Board and Community Association, and won the UNM Best Resident Award for her service and participation in on-campus activities. Katie volunteers in a Reading Mentor Program at Manzano Mesa Elementary in Albuquerque to help first and second grade English Language Learners learn to read at grade level. She also volunteers at the annual LoboTHON Dance Marathon to benefit the UNM Children’s Hospital, the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in the state of New Mexico. This cause is very important to Katie because as a teenager she spent many months in the children’s oncology ward. She has admirably fought her way through cancer, lung disease, immune system deficiencies, kidney failure, and Kabuki Syndrome. Katie was selected to sing the National Anthem at the UNM College of Liberal Arts commencement ceremonies this year, but it was postponed due to Covid-19.  She remains hopeful that there will be a ceremony in the not-too-distant future, where she may still have the opportunity to sing.  For those who know Katie, singing and working with children are her two passions. Katie has just returned to Los Alamos after living on-campus for the past three years while attending UNM. To the class of 2020, Katie says, ‘Congratulations! Be proud of your accomplishment, and remain positive’. She is the daughter of Lee Weinland and Janet Frensdorf of Los Alamos. Courtesy photo