Suzanne Harvey, 2006

Biology Major
Mathematics Major

{E} smharvey@ncsu.edu

I'm currently in the biomathematics doctoral program at North Carolina State University, where I will be doing research this summer, probably in physiology. I absolutely love it, so if any of the girls at Sweet Briar are looking into biomathematics and want to talk with me, they can e-mail me.

I am working as a teaching assistant at NCSU in the statistics department, which is more fun than it sounds. I am a TA for the introductory statistics course for all undergraduate science majors, so every semester there are more than 700 students in the 10 or so sections of the class. Obviously it took me a little while to get used to how big everything is.

Once I receive my doctorate, I am hoping to get a position at a company in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park or perhaps at one of the new biotech companies that have opened in the state. North Carolina is putting a lot of money in biotechnology, so it is a good place to be in biomathematics.

As for why I chose biomath, I knew I wanted to help people, but after working for a veterinarian and spending time around Lynchburg General Hospital and the University of Virginia, I realized I didn't want to be a medical doctor. And, after doing research in the chemistry labs at SBC, I also knew I wanted to do research that was more involved with people.

I love math, so the next logical step was biomathematics. I am currently taking a special topics course in infectious disease modeling and one in spinal cord injury and repair. My biomath courses tend to have no more than 10 students in them, and my other courses have no more than 40 students taking them. I'm sure I would never have made it this far without everyone at Sweet Briar, particularly the professors in biology and math. So, thank you.

Elizabeth Churchill, 2005

Mathematics Major

{E} churchill05@sbc.edu

I chose to major in math because it is a subject I have always enjoyed. I am a student teacher at Amherst County High School, where I have applied and hope to work next year. Teaching mathematics is such a rewarding job. Trying to find creative ways for the students to learn is both challenging and fun!

Outside of work, my husband and I are working on our 1920s farmhouse, which is not very well insulated. My husband is the fencing coach at SBC. My favorite hobby is horseback riding, but I also enjoy reading, needlepoint, archery and playing Dungeons & Dragons. My husband and I have five children: two dogs and three cats. We will soon have one more Thyme, a horse who is retiring from the stables this year.

Katie Kirkwood, 2004

Mathematics Major
Physics Major

During the summers between her years at Sweet Briar, Katie participated in Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Programs at the Institut de Microélectroniques, Électromagnétisme et Photoniques in Grenoble, France, and at Harvard University. She also attended the Women and Mathematics Program of the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University.

Katie is currently a graduate student in Engineering Sciences at Yale University; she is particularly interested in applications of physics to biomedical problems. She is contemplating a future career in equities research with a focus in biomedical technology. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, cooking, quilting, bargain hunting, and playing with her parents' Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Phoebe and Phinnegan.

Jozanne Summerville, 2004

Mathematics Major

Why did I choose math? The Sweet Briar Mathematical Sciences department chose me! Taking those first semester courses, I discovered not only that I have a natural talent for math, but that SBC's math department is filled with intelligent, nurturing people. Each and every professor enthusiastically helps to develop a learning environment that challenges your mind without losing your individuality. The department prepared me for my next steps into adulthood.

Now I am a cost analyst for naval ships and weapon systems with the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. I plan to earn a degree in law, possibly in conjunction with a Master of Business Administration. In the meantime, I travel around the States and Europe as much as possible, both for work and for pleasure. I also attend several dance classes a week and accompany my friends and family to as many live exhibitions I can squeeze in my schedule!

Katie (Clarkson) Robertson, 1997

Mathematics-Computer Science Major

Katie began her career at IBM as a software engineer specializing in TCP/IP development after graduating from Sweet Briar College in 1997 with a B.A. in mathematics-computer science. In 1999 she left IBM to work for Wachovia Corp.'s Systems Development organization as a lead systems analyst.

During her eight-year tenure at Wachovia, Katie has taken part in many enterprise-wide events as an IT professional, including Wachovia's merger with First Union National Bank in 2000. She has served in numerous lead IT roles, including business analyst, subject matter expert on the corporate system development life cycle, and project team leader.

Due in part to her experience in organizational process, change and behavior, as well as her experience in enterprise-wide application initiatives, Katie recently became responsible for development coordination and oversight of three critical large-scale internal applications in the areas of demand management, time and cost recovery, and internal systems testing that serve a combined base of more than 10,000 users.

Katie also gives her time to serving on Wachovia's Women's Employee Resource Network and facilitating employee engagement activities in her division.

Katie and Mark Robertson, her husband since May 2000, live just outside of Winston-Salem, N.C., with their two children — Chase, age 4, and Gracie, age 19 months. She and Mark also own and operate Whispering Oaks Farm in conjunction with her husband's parents. They have successfully shown many horses on the American Paint Horse Association show circuit, and own and promote their APHA world champion stallion, Slightly Zipped.