Alumni Story

Catawba did a fantastic job with financial aid that made Catawba affordable. My financial aid was all academic aid. I was able to graduate without student loan debt.”

Both of Rachel’s parents are Catawba alumni. Growing up, she often came to Catawba football and basketball games with them. Applying to Catawba, Rachel was invited to be part of the Honors Program. “Catawba did a fantastic job with financial aid that made Catawba affordable. My financial aid was all academic aid. I was able to graduate without student loan debt,” Rachel says gratefully.

At Catawba, the decision to major in chemistry was an easy one for Rachel. “I was very mathematically and scientifically inclined and wanted to major in a STEM field.” [Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics]. She explains, “Chemistry is the science of life. It opens the door to many other careers, and it opens the door to many industries.”

Rachel was pleased with the opportunities she had in her major. “The professors were passionate educators, with years of practical and industry experience. Undergraduates at Catawba have hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, something that’s usually available only to graduate students at most schools. That hands-on experience gave me an edge when applying to jobs post-graduation.” 

She shares one particularly memorable lab experience. “Dr. Beard had to take me to the hospital when a flask broke. It was a closed loop system; what was in it was potentially toxic but there is no risk - unless it breaks. Bless professors who teach in undergraduate laboratories,” she says with amusement, recounting stories she heard about other especially eventful lab sessions.

After graduation, Rachel enjoyed working in analytical chemistry labs for a decade, before transitioning to her current career in chemistry sales with Biotage. “Every day I get to support scientists all over North America by helping them find solutions to their workflow bottlenecks and scientific roadblocks. I work with scientists in local government labs, in academics, and large pharmaceutical companies.”

Outside of work, Rachel loves to travel with her husband and daughter in their RV, visiting all kinds of national and state parks. She and her family enjoy family walks with their basset hounds. They are also fans of live music and theatrical performances, which is good since Rachel’s husband Justin, Class of 2007, is the executive director of the Cain Center for the Arts.

There’s nothing that Rachel would change about her time at Catawba. “I had a fantastic time, made lifelong friends, and took several trips through the Honors Program, to Ireland, Japan, and Nicaragua. I had a lot of successes and a few failures. I met my incredible husband. I am so blessed in my life and my four years at Catawba provided a great foundation for my success.”

Rachel offers some wisdom she gained in her Catawba experience. “Try to attend as many awards and celebrations as possible on campus. When you celebrate the success of others, it doubles your joy and when you see what success looks like, it motivates you. Successful people aren’t born, they’re made with hard work, grit, and determination. Catawba gives you the tools you need.”