Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Katie Billetdeaux, a neuroscience major from Lindenhurst, Illinois. Billetdeaux is a member of the volleyball team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I went on an overnight and attended an open gym with the team. I could tell the team was really close and was truly like a family. I felt like I fit right in and committed the next day!
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: Being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster means I am held to a high academic standard while still performing at a high level against other competitive volleyball teams.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: My favorite memory as an athlete at Wooster was when we beat Denison University in their home gym in the semifinal match of the NCAC Tournament. I will cherish that moment of my volleyball career forever. Some of my other favorite Wooster memories include those that were made with my friends, accompanied by endless laughs.
Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: When I was looking at colleges to attend, it was always important to me that I was able to play high-level volleyball, but still get a good education. Wooster provides a perfect balance between academics and athletics, and it is one of my favorite parts about being a student-athlete here.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I am a representative for the volleyball team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a member of Women in Athletics and Recreation Association (WARA), and a member of the Neuroscience Club. Additionally, I am a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Nu Rho Psi, and Psi Chi national and international honor societies.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. Grit Herzmann has made the greatest impact on me because of how she has supported me in my classes, including Independent Study, and also my volleyball career. She's extremely understanding of how hectic and stressful my life can get while trying to balance all of my commitments, and still continues to provide encouragement and support throughout my time at Wooster.
Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: I am eternally grateful for all the advice Dr. Herzmann has given me during my time at Wooster from helping me with classes and my four-year plan as a first-year, to figuring out my future plans and how to get there, plus our weekly I.S. meetings. I would not be where I am today without her.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: My I.S. looks at the importance the eyes play in perceiving other people's emotions through the use of electroencephalogram (EEG). I am analyzing people's brain waves as they view a series of different face stimuli displaying various facial expressions. My research can be applied to investigate the differences people with autism have in recognizing other people's emotions because they tend not to focus on people's eyes. Additionally, this research has implications for various responses in empathy for different emotions.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: During fall break as a first-year, the volleyball team took a trip to Washington D.C. One of the teams we played was Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf and hard of hearing. It was such an incredible experience to play them and learn the history behind the institution.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: I would tell my first-year self to enjoy every moment of college before you graduate. I would also encourage myself to take risks and step outside my comfort zone, because the best things will come out of them if you do. Lastly, I would remind myself not to stress too much, because everything will work out in the end, just as it is supposed to.
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